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Drinking Water Stories - Page 2

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Drinking Water stories

Flush with potential: Shifting wastewater from sea to soil
Tasman District Council

Flush with potential: Shifting wastewater from sea to soil

Reuse plans could cut ocean discharge and help irrigate crops, sports grounds and industry across Nelson Tasman within two years.

By Max Frethey • 5 min read • Wed, 2nd Sep 2026
Wairarapa water entity eyes up new HQ
Public Sector

Wairarapa water entity eyes up new HQ

Residents across Wairarapa and Tararua are set to gain safer, more reliable water services as Waitī Waters prepares for a July launch.

By Emily Ireland • 3 min read • Tue, 1st Sep 2026
You can't manage what you haven't measured: the execution test for water reform starts now
Digital Transformation

You can't manage what you haven't measured: the execution test for water reform starts now

Households could face higher bills unless new water entities lift delivery from councils' 60 to 80 per cent record and prove their costs.

By Jason Perera • 4 min read • Fri, 28th Aug 2026
Rakaia's new water meters struggle with wi-fi reception
Internet of Things

Rakaia's new water meters struggle with wi-fi reception

About a quarter of the Rakaia rollout cannot yet report readings, leaving Ashburton District Council unable to rely on the system for wider use.

By Jonathan Leask • 3 min read • Fri, 28th Aug 2026
Waikato mayors come out swinging at Government's rates cap
Public Sector

Waikato mayors come out swinging at Government's rates cap

Waikato councils say a 4% rates cap will squeeze funding for water and wastewater, as mayors accuse ministers of hypocrisy.

By Jordan Smith • 4 min read • Thu, 27th Aug 2026
Ohakune water outage raises questions internal review can't answer, councillor says
Risk & Compliance

Ohakune water outage raises questions internal review can't answer, councillor says

Residents of the Ruapehu town were left without taps for nearly three days after a pipeline break went undetected, prompting calls for outside scrutiny.

By Moana Ellis • 3 min read • Fri, 21st Aug 2026
'Little bit grumpy': Rural residents shoulder water upgrade costs
Local Government

'Little bit grumpy': Rural residents shoulder water upgrade costs

Rural households in Tasman face higher bills as new national rules force long-delayed water upgrades to protect drinking safety.

By Max Frethey • 6 min read • Thu, 20th Aug 2026
Council manager's honest admission: We don't know where all our pipes are
Risk & Compliance

Council manager's honest admission: We don't know where all our pipes are

Unrecorded sections of Southland's water network are complicating planning, as councillors were told the council still has pipes it cannot locate.

By Matthew Rosenberg • 2 min read • Mon, 17th Aug 2026
Improved water meter data helps Masterton plug leaks
Data Analytics

Improved water meter data helps Masterton plug leaks

Water losses in Masterton have been cut to 15% as better meter data helps the council spot hidden leaks and prompt repairs.

By Emily Ireland • 3 min read • Fri, 14th Aug 2026
Ohakune residents still boiling drinking water as town enters 'recovery mode'
Radio New Zealand

Ohakune residents still boiling drinking water as town enters 'recovery mode'

Boil notices remain in place while testing continues, though Ohakune's water supply has been restored and the emergency is easing.

By Moana Ellis • 2 min read • Thu, 13th Aug 2026
Ohakune residents demand answers after reservoir runs dry
Civil Defence

Ohakune residents demand answers after reservoir runs dry

Residents were warned too late as Ohakune's reservoir emptied, leaving businesses and households without water on a busy winter weekend.

By Moana Ellis • 5 min read • Wed, 12th Aug 2026
'Never had anything like it' - The crisis that changed New Zealand, 10 years on
Risk & Compliance

'Never had anything like it' - The crisis that changed New Zealand, 10 years on

Ten years on, the outbreak still shapes drinking-water rules after contaminated taps sickened more than 5,500 people and killed four.

By Linda Hall • 6 min read • Wed, 12th Aug 2026
Water New Zealand hails STEM subjects to ease skills gap
Data Analytics

Water New Zealand hails STEM subjects to ease skills gap

The sector's 10,000-worker shortfall could widen unless more students see water jobs beyond engineering, Water New Zealand says.

By Sean Mitchell • 4 min read • Mon, 10th Aug 2026
New Zealand report flags strain in wastewater networks
Risk & Compliance

New Zealand report flags strain in wastewater networks

Untreated discharges, leakage and ageing assets are putting public health and the environment at risk, the water watchdog says.

By Sean Mitchell • 5 min read • Mon, 27th Jul 2026
Three Waters debate drowning out the real issue
University of Otago

Three Waters debate drowning out the real issue

Public health risks from contaminated drinking water remain at the heart of the reforms, as debate over local control overshadows safety.

By Staff Writer • 3 min read • Mon, 5th Dec 2022
Mayors propose simpler Three Waters alternative
Urban Planning

Mayors propose simpler Three Waters alternative

Councils could get a simpler path to fund water upgrades after the mayors’ plan was backed as a more practical alternative to Three Waters.

By Staff Writer • 6 min read • Fri, 4th Nov 2022
You can’t push regulation change without economic provision
Climate change

You can’t push regulation change without economic provision

Delays to economic regulation could leave councils reluctant to invest, slowing safer water upgrades for rural communities.

By Staff Writer • 7 min read • Thu, 14th Mar 2019

Stories from Other Regions

Drinking Water stories

Calisen appoints Gary Adams as Water Operations Director
Data Analytics

Calisen appoints Gary Adams as Water Operations Director

The hire strengthens Calisen's push into water metering as regulators prepare a major overhaul of oversight and compliance.

By Mark Tarre • 4 min read • Thu, 21st May 2026