Tougher drinking-water rules 'would increase rates'

Forcing New Zealand water suppliers to comply with drinking water standards would increase rates and fail to raise water standards where it is needed the most, Local Government New Zealand says.

LGNZ representatives told the health select committee yesterday they opposed the Health (Drinking Water) Amendment Bill in its present form.

The bill aims to tighten regulations and would require drinking-water suppliers to take "all practicable steps" to comply with New Zealand drinking-water standards; at present they to do so voluntarily.

In doing so, it hopes to close the door on the potential of a major outbreak of disease through contaminated drinking water, though the Ministry of Health says New Zealand has escaped mostly unharmed to date, apart from 3500 Queenstown people who became sick in 1984.

Hastings Mayor Lawrence Yule told the committee that LGNZ supported the bill's intent, but it would put financial pressure on local bodies already under fire for rising rates.

He further criticised the bill as missing its target of suppliers whose water may not be up to scratch.

Only 15 per cent of New Zealanders had their water supplied from companies that had not declared whether it met the standard, he said.

"These supply to small communities and will find the operational costs [to meet the bill's requirements] unsustainable.

"This may force people to look for alternatives where legislation won't apply (such as self-supplying) ... the target audience won't be targeted."

He said over 70 per cent of New Zealand's drinking water came through local authorities that already had measures to ensure it was of a high quality.

The committee also heard from Federated Farmers opposing the bill, and Watercare Services in favour of it.

The committee is scheduled to report back to Parliament on December 20.