The first of three bills the government says will ensure affordable drinking water, wastewater and stormwater services has now been codified into law. 

Under the new legislation, the Central Otago District Council (CODC) must seek Department of Internal Affairs approval before making any decisions that affect the provision of drinking water or the disposal of storm and wastewater to the district.

The bill also provides for transferring the existing three waters workforce and expertise from the CODC to the four new water services entities, which also came into being with the passage of the legislation.

“By establishing four new publicly-owned water services entities with the size and scale to meet the challenges we face, the legislation forms a strong base for improved, effective, and efficient management of water services and infrastructure,” local government minister Nanaia Mahuta said.

“In order to keep a lid on rate rises and better protect New Zealanders from rising water costs, we must act now to upgrade our national water infrastructure.” 

The National Party has promised to repeal Three Waters legislation should it become government later this year but has yet to outline alternative legislation.

There are currently two other pieces of Three Waters legislation before parliament: the Water Services Legislation Bill, now before the Finance and Expenditure Committee and the Water Services Economic Efficiency and Consumer Protection Bill.

The government aims to have the four Water Services Entities providing drinking water, wastewater and stormwater services to New Zealand by July 1, 2024.