Water Services Authority appoints Far North District Council to run Kāeo drinking water supply

The Water Services Authority – Taumata Arowai (the Authority) has placed the Kāeo drinking water supply under statutory management and appointed Far North District Council to manage the supply.

The Kāeo supply has been on a boil water advisory for more than 10 years and has had increasing challenges in maintaining a safe and sufficient supply of drinking water to the community.

The Authority has been working with the supplier since early this year to find immediate and long-term solutions for the community.

After extensive engagement with the supplier, on 22 October the Authority convened formal discussions between the supplier (Wai Care Environmental Consultants) and Far North District Council to work together on solutions. Those conversations have been unable to resolve immediate supply issues that include the area being without water.

Given these immediate issues, the Authority’s Chief Executive Allan Prangnell has invoked section 83 of the Water Services Act 2021, appointing Far North District Council as the operator of the Kāeo supply to perform all of the supplier’s functions and duties.

“This action is the first of its kind by the Authority and is not a step we take lightly,” says Mr Prangnell.

“The community has been dealing with a poor water supply for too long, and there is a serious risk to public health relating to a drinking water supply.

“In this case, we consider there are sufficient grounds for action in light of the 10-year boil water advisory and the more recent inability of the supplier to provide any water.

“The Water Services Act provides a 90-day period to put in place statutory management. However, following conversations with Far North District Council and the supplier, it was agreed that the council would immediately step in to take over the supply. We are pleased that the council can step in with the support of the supplier and would like to acknowledge both the work of the supplier and of the council to make this happen.

“The Authority’s role is to ensure communities in New Zealand have access to safe and sufficient drinking water,” says Mr Prangnell.

“From here, our focus shifts to supporting Far North District Council to turn the supply back on and then working with the community on a cost-effective, long-term solution by March 2026.”

More information:

Kāeo drinking water supply options to be explored with Far North District Council