What is Local Water Done Well?

Local Water Done Well (LWDW) is a programme introduced by central government to reform water services delivery. It takes the place of earlier governments’ Three Waters Reform. LWDW requires all councils to consider how they will manage and deliver water services in the future in a way that is financially sustainable. ‘Water services’ means water supply or drinking water, stormwater and wastewater.

To meet government-legislated reform, Napier City Council must change the way it delivers water services, explore alternative delivery options, consult with community, and ultimately decide on a path forward to meet the legislative requirements. Through these reforms, Council must ensure it has a firm foundation for success against a backdrop of increasing regulatory requirements and the need for resilient, cost-effective infrastructure.

There are also needs beyond those of new legislation. Our community has told us that Napier’s current delivery model is not meeting their expectations. The work programme required is beyond the capacity of the existing model. Current processes and internal resources hinder the ability to deliver on our ambitious capital programme. Compounding these factors is sufficient access to debt that is limited by current lending rules and regulations. Although significant investment and planning is underway to ensure parts of the network are brought up to appropriate levels, there is much work to do.

The required changes present an opportunity for Napier City Council to respond to the challenges. 

Local Water Done Well recognises the importance of local decision making and flexibility for councils to decide the best way to deliver water services for communities in the future, while ensuring a strong emphasis on meeting environmental, water quality and economic regulatory requirements. 

New Zealand has long been facing growing water infrastructure issues such as ageing assets, underinvestment, and rising costs, which makes it increasingly challenging for councils to maintain and future-proof water services. Local Water

Done Well aims to address these challenges by:

• Improving the quality and sustainability of water services nationwide.
• Ensuring water services are future-proofed and financially sustainable (able to pay for themselves).
• Introducing new economic and quality regulations to raise service standards.
• Making water service delivery more effective and efficient.