Southern Water Done Well
The future of our Water Services: What you need to know
Our community faces a big decision about how drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater services will be delivered in the future.
We’re collaborating with three other councils—Clutha District, Central Otago District and Gore District—to form Southern Water Done Well. Together, we are working to find the best solutions that ensure sustainable, efficient, and compliant water services for our communities.
Consultation is open 9 May - 6 June 2025
We've done our homework. Before you make a submission, please take the time to read our Consultation Document which has lots of information on different ways to deliver Water Services in Waitaki and what they could cost.
If there's anything you don't understand in the document or something you want more information on, pop a question in our 'Questions' tool below or come along to one of our in-person Community Meetings to talk to staff and elected members about your concerns and share your thoughts.
You can make a submission using the online feedback form on this page and print copies will be available at Council Service Centres and Waitaki District Libraries.
What is Local Water Done Well?
The Local Water Done Well legislation requires councils to change how they manage water services, invest more in infrastructure, and comply with stricter government regulations. While this gives councils more control over local water decisions, it also increases central government oversight.
The Government has made it clear that councils must work together to make Local Water Done Well a success.
Watch an in-depth discussion with the Mayors of Waitaki, Clutha, Central Otago and Clutha districts for more about how our councils are responding to the Government's Local Water Done Water reforms:
Why change is necessary
Doing things the way we have always done them isn’t an option as current operating models are likely to fall short of meeting new legislative requirements, including financial sustainability.
Water costs are rising due to:
✅ Population and industrial growth
✅ Increasing infrastructure costs for upgrades and renewals
✅ Higher water and wastewater standards
✅ Additional compliance and regulation from Commerce Commission and Taumata Arowai
✅ Ageing infrastructure requiring urgent investment
✅ Mitigation measures to our changing climate
These challenges mean councils must rethink how they deliver water services to meet new regulations and community expectations.
The journey to Local Water Done Well
The water reforms were introduced to ensure every community in Aotearoa New Zealand has access to safe, clean drinking water while also improving wastewater and stormwater management.
A key trigger for these reforms was the Havelock North gastroenteritis outbreak in August 2016, where 5,000 people fell ill and four people lost their lives due to contaminated drinking water.
Following this tragedy, extensive reviews uncovered serious issues with New Zealand’s water infrastructure, safety standards, and regulatory oversight. These findings highlighted the urgent need for stricter water regulations and significant investment in better water management systems.
Now, through Local Water Done Well, councils are working together to create safer, more sustainable, and future-proof water services for our communities.
