The community has made their views on the future of the district’s water services clear, with 88 percent of the 234 submissions received during the recent consultation supporting the Council’s proposed delivery model.

During deliberations on Wednesday morning, councillors heard that a large majority of submitters wanted to see the provision of the district’s stormwater, wastewater and drinking water services remain inhouse under a Council standalone business unit (SABU).

Submitters argued that this option would offer the strongest local control over water services and infrastructure, with many also expressing their satisfaction with the Council’s current management of water services.

Some also believed that the alternative option – a new council-controlled organisation dedicated to water services, could prove costly to establish or inefficient compared with the inhouse option.

Around nine percent of submitters favoured the alternative option of establishing a water services council-controlled organisation (WSCCO), while the remaining three percent suggested another option or did not know which model they preferred.

Councillors thanked those who took the time to provide feedback, and said the strong response from the community provides confidence that they’re on the right track as they consider the next steps.

Council will decide which option to proceed with at their meeting on 21 May. Staff will then use the selected model to develop a Water Services Delivery Plan (WSDP) which will be lodged with the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) prior to 3 September.

Even if the Council proceeds with the SABU model, there will still be changes coming for the district’s water services. Council will need to meet stricter requirements, including regular reporting to the Commerce Commission who will ensure that water service charges are fair and sustainable, and on-going renewals and maintenance are appropriate. The Water Services Authority, Taumata Arowai, has also recently begun to regulate water quality.

Council also cautioned that no matter which option is chosen, water services are likely to cost more in the future as infrastructure is upgraded to meet higher national standards.

Under the Government’s Local Water Done Well legislation, councils are required to consult their communities about the future provision of water services. Ashburton District Council sought resident feedback through the What’s next for our water? campaign which ran from 27 March to 27 April.

A summary of feedback and all individual submissions can be viewed at itsourplace.nz/water