NZ to Repeal ‘Three Waters’ Scheme, Future Direction Remains Unclear

The cost of maintaining, repairing, and renewing New Zealand’s failing water infrastructure will remain with local authorities, Minister for Local Government Simeon Brown has announced. Cabinet has agreed to introduce and pass legislation early next year that will repeal “Three Waters” legislation, which would have transferred ownership of—and responsibility for—drinking and wastewater assets to four newly constituted “water entities,” each covering around a quarter of the country. Councils would have had shares in the new entity, which could not be sold or transferred, protecting the assets from being privatised. Crucially, it relieved councils of the expense of fixing water infrastructure that had not been replaced for very long periods—in some cases over 100 years. Underground pipes have a life expectancy of around 60 to 80 years....