The Government's Objectives

• Affordability – in some areas it’s becoming unaffordable for councils, especially for smaller councils with fewer ratepayers, to provide safe and reliable drinking water, and fit for purpose wastewater and stormwater services.
• Service level consistency – with many councils providing three water services, some communities receive a different level of service to others. The reform aims to provide a more consistent level of service across the country.
• Underinvestment in critical infrastructure - through stage one of the reform process, the Government concluded that there is underinvestment in three waters infrastructure across parts of the country. There may be large costs over the next 30 years as infrastructure is brought up to standard.
• Inability to meet requirements - with both a new water regulator and new economic regulator, there is a concern councils may not be able to meet future requirements without the reform process.
• Climate change - increased flooding and sea level rise will put pressure on three waters services if not adequately managed. The Government is concerned about the ability of councils to meet this challenge without reform.

More information is available on the Department of Internal Affairs website - dia.govt.nz/Three-Waters-Reform-Programme