The recently released report from the Rural Water Supplies technical working group has made a series of 28 recommendations to amend the current proposals which at first glance look promising.
Among the proposals is an opt-out clause giving rural schemes the option of staying outside the new water entity and going into private ownership.
It was clear from the get go that rural water schemes did not fit easily into the new model. Rural water schemes are one water not three waters. They are in the main under local council control but are governed by local users who are highly motivated to maintain a good standard of investment and maintenance as their stock are reliant upon it.
Nothing motivates the users and governors like an unreliable or unsafe water supply. It is little wonder that ceding this direct control to a Christchurch-based bureaucracy is fiercely resisted.
There is a huge risk of small rural water schemes in the South being well down the priority list given there are much bigger fish to fry.
It’s important to note that opting for private ownership doesn’t preclude rural water schemes from coming under the auspices of the new regulator Taumata Arowai. Water schemes will need to weigh up the benefits of local control versus the potential liability of governors should they fail to meet water quality standards.
The availability of qualified contractors to manage the schemes will also be a factor as skilled workers move out of local councils and into the new Three Waters entity. These will be important discussions but at least they would be on our terms.
Credit is due to Clutha Mayor Bryan Cadogan who consulted the views of local water scheme committees and took those views directly to the Government.
Subsequently as chairman of the review committee he has shepherded through what looks like a sensible way forward within the restraints of the overarching proposals being mandated.
Otago Federated Farmers can also claim some influence in nominating local farmer and former Otago Regional Council chairman Stephen Woodhead to sit on the committee to make sure a farmer’s voice was at the table.
Let’s hope the Government listens this time.
