National body to regulate drinking water

WELLINGTON: In the wake of the Havelock North campylobacter outbreak in 2016, a new Crown agency is being set up to regulate drinking water.

A dedicated water watchdog was one of the key recommendations from the inquiry into the Havelock North water crisis, which was linked to four deaths and left more than 5000 people ill with campylobacter.

The regulator, covering all suppliers apart from households with their own sources, will set standards plus have monitoring and enforcement powers.

Local Government Minister Nanaia Mahuta, leading the crossagency Three Waters Review, said an independent regulator was the best way to draw on international best practice, plus provide reliable drinking water and plan for growth.

‘‘New Zealanders have every right to expect clean, safe drinking water. Unfortunately, over many years, our regulatory regime has not kept pace with international best practice. In addition, enforcement of the existing regulations has become fractured and increasingly ineffective,’’ she said.

Health Minister David Clark, who led the response to the Havelock North outbreak, said an independent body would protect people best.

‘‘The campylobacter outbreak from contaminated public water supplies in Havelock North three years ago was a tragedy,’’ he said.

‘‘Cabinet considered a range of options for the form of the new regulator, including rolling it into an existing entity, but concluded that a dedicated standalone regulator would have the high degree of focus and independence needed to provide the best protection.’’ — RNZ