Content area
Full text
ABSTRACT
A 2016 drinking water-related campylobacteriosis outbreak in Aotearoa New Zealand made much of an entire town sick leading to reforms colloquially called "Three Waters", which aims to improve the management and delivery of waste, storm and drinking water systems. Public discourse on the Three Waters reforms has been dominated by anti-co-governance rhetoric, concerns around privatisation and loss of local control and alternative less comprehensive reform models. This debate has drowned out the fundamental problem statement justifying the reforms, that is, the management of drinking water resources is currently: 1) demonstrably inadequate to protect public health and promote health equity; and 2) economically inefficient. We discuss four areas where the proposed Three Waters reforms are likely to address current and future challenges and improve public health. We conclude by outlining four areas of remaining contention.
The "Three Waters" Reforms in New Zealand
In 2016, drinking water contaminated with animal faeces made much of an entire town sick (~8,000 people), with 58 hospitalisations and four deaths, costing an estimated NZ$21 million.12 The outbreak was an outcome of systemic flaws in Aotearoa New Zealand's regulatory system for drinking water, which were highlighted in the ensuing Government Inquiry.3 This Inquiry led to the Three Waters Review4 and subsequent reforms colloquially called "Three Waters" that are responsible for reforming the waste, storm and drinking water systems in the country.
The Three Waters reforms include three main aspects: 1) the establishment of an independent Crown water services regulator; 2) establishment of a new regulatory framework for drinking water; and 3) reform to water delivery services.4 The first two elements have been established and received broad support from politicians, the public, central and local governments, and the water sector. The final aim, to reform water delivery services, has become the most contentious aspect of the total Three Waters reforms package.
The Water Services Entities Bill is currently being considered by the New Zealand Parliament (public submissions closed in July 2022). The Bill proposes amalgamating the water services controlled by 67 city and district councils, into four Government entities.5 It is proposed that the entities will have equal representation from Maori (Indigenous people of the New Zealand) and council members on regional representation boards. Maori representatives will be selected by local...