With $761 million of Government investment announced for local councils who opt-in to its wider reform programme, they can now either step up, or carry on with the same old approach and use that funding as an excuse to cut their own “The Government’s long-awaited funding boost and water reform agenda is New Zealand’s best chance to create a high performing water sector for New Zealanders,” says Infrastructure NZ Chief Executive Paul Blair. Continue →

Meridian Energy cost consumers an additional $80 million and increased fossil fuel use, yet its Manapouri Power Scheme will be exempt from new Government freshwater policy Meridian Energy Ltd deliberately spilled water from Lake Manapouri and its smaller hydro-lakes to drive up electricity prices, costing consumers an additional $80 million, and requiring increased fossil fuel use, the Electricity Authority has found. Continue →

The Government has announced new rules and regulations to clean up New Zealand’s waterways and protect them from future pollution The Action for Healthy Waterways package sets higher standards around the cleanliness of swimming spots, includes a new bottom line for nitrogen toxicity, sets controls for farming practices like winter grazing and how much synthetic fertiliser is used, and requires mandatory and enforceable farm environment plans, among others. Continue →

The decision to establish an independent drinking water regulator is very positive and will help bring New Zealand’s water services up to international standards, but the absence of user charges leaves a significant gap in national water policy which needs to be filled, says Infrastructure New Zealand CEO Paul Blair Local Government Minister Nanaia Mahuta and Health Minister David Clark announced that the Government will establish an independent drinking water regulator, likely in 2020. Continue →

It is pleasing that the Government will act to protect and improve drinking, waste and stormwater quality through creation of a dedicated regulator, but further reforms will be needed, says Infrastructure New Zealand Chief Executive Stephen Selwood The Government will introduce a new Bill which will extend regulatory coverage to all drinking water suppliers. Continue →

A Cabinet Paper  released in late November sets out a long overdue road map on the future for the ailing and aging Three Waters facilities. Continue →

Melbourne is all set to host Ozwater’19 in May, Australia’s biggest international water conference and exhibition and the annual event of the Australian Water Association Ozwater is the Australian Water Association’s annual water conference and exhibition where thousands of water professionals, engineers, scientists and local government representatives come together to share and showcase how their organisations are transforming the world. Continue →

With many areas of Australia facing severe drought – some the worst in 400 years – great importance is being placed on water pipeline construction, maintenance and elimination of leakages over local, regional and far-reaching networks The Australian government has acknowledged the scale of the challenge with a $12.9 million Water for the Future plan focussed on more efficient water infrastructure and refurbishment of older pipes and systems. Continue →

Recognising a need for change in New Zealand’s water industry brings the country closer to addressing issues with decaying water infrastructure but coherent leadership from central government will be needed So say New Zealand’s contractors, who are heavily involved in the construction and maintenance of water networks, performing tasks such as pipeline installation, construction of wastewater management plants and maintenance of riverbanks. Continue →

Mineral extraction – gold, silver, copper or iron – has always been constrained by access to water, Montgomery Simus observes Miners had to degrade or devour cubic metres of water to produce each gram, a virtual or ‘embedded’ amount known as each precious metal’s water footprint. Continue →

Will we be able to face the challenge of decoupling biogeochemical cycles Fabio Masi asks Current centralised vs. Continue →

Todd Myers explains how smartphone-linked applications can help plug leaky systems from outside-in   Consumer preferences can inspire big innovations. Continue →

The latest annual Ministry of Health report has revealed 19 per cent of people are exposed to drinking water that doesn’t meet all safety standards The figure is alarming, but Professor Michael Baker, Professor of Public Health, University of Otago, notes the report also contains good news. Continue →

Local Government New Zealand’s Water 2050: Quality – Review of the framework for water quality discussion paper has identified three key issues for New Zealand’s framework for water quality The local government representative organisation’s report points to opportunities for change that could be a focus under the government’s Three Waters Review. Continue →

The growing populations and economies of the Asia-Pacific region place more and more constraints on the maintenance and operation of urban infrastructure – particularly pipes It is becoming increasingly difficult to efficiently manage the many thousands of kilometres of pipelines that are buried beneath cities and towns. Continue →

A new tool empowers anyone with a web browser to observe water’s constantly shifting courses, an International Water Association report reveals A team at Deltares, a water research institute based in Delft in the Netherlands, has unveiled a revolutionary tool that allows anyone, anywhere, to visually monitor the comings and goings of the Earth’s surface water on a timeline from 1985 through to the present. Continue →

Waikato District Council has appointed a contractor to continue the cleaning and inspection of its wastewater network which was started in early 2017 The contractor, HyrdoTech, is also providing vacuum (or sucker trucks as they’re also known) on an as-required basis to assist with the operation of the network, particularly emergency response. Continue →