Colin Olds, also running for Featherston, said addressing polluted rivers, lakes and waterways was a top priority for him.
"It has been a problem for years.
"The flow-on effect is that our rivers will no longer be safe to swim in and there will be a decline in aquatic life."
He said efforts to contain fertiliser and effluent run-off and treating sewage so it was potable were essential.
Featherston ward candidate Solitaire Robertson said balancing the environmental impact of wastewater treatment plants with affordability was a big issue.
"While we would all like to see a nil discharge of treated wastewater into waterways, our communities have to be able to afford the cost of providing the solution."
She said many people struggled to make ends meet and what may be the ideal solution could be a financial burden in smaller communities.
South Wairarapa ratepayers are in arrears with $739,000 owed to the council as at June 17.
Greytown ward candidate Richard Heald said Wairarapa rivers need to be cleaned up.
"The Ruamahanga is an ongoing concern."
The Ruamahanga and Waipoua rivers were given "very poor" ratings in July by the Ministry for the Environment.
Margaret Craig, also standing for Greytown, said water infrastructure was a primary concern.
"Upgrading and improving the water supply and treatment in the three main towns is a priority that needs careful funding and investigation of cost-effective options such as UV treatment," she said.
Alternative supply for Featherston and regularly replacing infrastructure were essential to ensure reliability, she said.
In August, the Ministry of Health provided a $617,000 subsidy to improve the quality of drinking water in Featherston.
Council assets manager Bill Sloan said two new bores would be developed close to Woodside along with a new UV filtration system to supply the drinking water.
Mrs Craig, a current councillor, said she would also like to continue the council's careful planning and consultation process for wastewater treatment.
To reduce the amount of infiltration of stormwater into the wastewater treatment ponds in Featherston, replacing old drainage pipes would continue, she said.
"This should be spread over time to reduce the funding impact on current ratepayers."
Greytown ward candidate Viv Napier said she was keen to see the upgrades continue.
She said upgrading sewerage, ensuring drinking water met high standards and ensuring emergency supplies were all core business for a rural district council.
Martinborough ward candidate Max Stevens said the main challenge facing the region was the three wastewater treatment upgrades.
"SWDC has funding provision in the Long Term Plan that indicates the work is manageable and affordable."
Brian Jephson said the Wairarapa Water Use Project irrigation project could make the region a top producer.
SWDC is currently undertaking two major projects - the ongoing cyclical replacement of water supply infrastructure, and the completion of the Featherston supplementary supply.
