Looking into the future of water supply, wastewater and stormwater services

The Government's Thirty Year New Zealand Infrastructure Strategy makes the following predictions for three waters management by 2045:

• Proliferation of micro-treatment plants to service small communities, suburbs and individual houses.
• Purification and recycling of water is standard practice.
• Alternative energy will fuel larger plants.
• Range of intelligent robotics undertaking underground inspections and work.
• Granular and detailed user charges accurately reflecting composition and volume of use.
• Consumers have an appreciation for water conservation and environmental protection.
• Large-scale water operators service multiple catchments and regions beyond traditional local authority boundaries.
• Effective allocation models ensuring water is allocated to its highest value use.
• Long-term programme being implemented to ensure resilience against inundation and more intense rainfall patterns.

​Do you agree with these predictions? What are the implications for local government, as the managers of all these services?