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Feds’ worst fears realised on drinking water reforms

August 12, 2021 by Leigh Catley

Federated Farmers is profoundly disappointed to see the Water Services Bill reported back to the Parliament with the definition of a “water supplier” unchanged.

“The government has now signed itself up for the enormous task of tracking down every single source of drinking water in the land and making them belong to a register if they supply any other household,” Federated Farmers president Andrew Hoggard says.

Despite extensive arguments from Federated Farmers and many others at the select committee hearings, tens of thousands of rural and farm supply arrangements will fall within the scope of the new water regulator Taumata Arowai.

“We know people are going to chose to opt-out of being a drinking water supplier, rather than face the compliance dramas.”

The new agency takes over from the Ministry of Health to take responsibility for the quality and provision of drinking water in New Zealand.

“We wanted the government to recognise the folly of trying to track down every single little supplier,” Andrew says.

Feds estimates up to 75,000 drinking water suppliers could be affected.

“We asked for anyone supplying less than fifty people to be exempted, but in the end were not heard.

“The government has jumped in at the deep end of this pool and they are likely to drown their officials in the paperwork this decision is going to create.”

Some slight alterations were made around helping small water schemes with treatment systems and extending the time allowed for registration to three years, a change specifically sought by Federated Farmers.

“We know people are going to chose to opt-out of being a drinking water supplier, rather than face the compliance dramas.

“And that just means someone else is going to have to figure out how to supply those homes, marae and rural community centres with drinking water,” Andrew says.

Filed Under: Environment, Water Tagged With: andrew hoggard, environment, government, water, water services bill, water supplier

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Federated Farmers is New Zealand’s leading independent rural advocacy organisation.

The federation’s aim is to add value to the business of farming for our members and encouraging sustainability through good management practice.

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Agribusiness andrew hoggard animal welfare Arable awards beef Beef+Lamb bees biosecurity climate change competition consumer councils COVID-19 Covid-19 effects dairy DairyNZ dairy prices Damien O'Connor economics economy education emissions employment environment exchange rates exports free trade agreements government health and safety innovation meat on-farm safety OSPRI rates red meat safety science sustainability technology trade transport water wool worksafe

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