SWDC approves WWDW as preferred water delivery option

The South Waikato District Council has approved Waikato Water Done Well as its preferred option for the future management of water services, in response to the Government’s Local Water Done Well reform. This decision was taken at a Council meeting on Wednesday, 26 March 2025.

The preferred water services delivery model – which is a multi-Council approach involving six other local Councils – will now be consulted on with the public between 14 April-5 May 2025.

Click here to learn more about Waikato Water Done Well.

It will be consulted on alongside the current approach (running water services delivery out of an internal business unit or division).

While analysis to date suggests that maintaining the status quo is not considered to be a financially sustainable option, Council is required by central Government to present information about other options considered.

“Council has investigated the options available to us thoroughly. The one which makes the most sense, both financially and in terms of quality service delivery for our communities, is Waikato Water Done Well,” South Waikato Mayor Gary Petley said.

“This option is quite different from the previous Government’s 3 Waters proposals which Council opposed.

“Waikato Water Done Well allows us to retain the equity of our assets through our shareholding and retain influence on what work occurs in the District through the statement of expectations to the Board.”

The Council resolved at its 3 March 2025 meeting to pursue the multi-council Water Services CCO (WWDW) and internal business unit options only for further analysis. More information on this is available here.