Purpose and scope of study

The Waikato sub-regional three waters study is being delivered through the Future Proof partnership and is one of the initiatives being delivered as part of the broader Hamilton to Auckland Corridor Plan.

The study seeks to identify the most innovative, responsive and timely infrastructure solutions, which deliver better environmental outcomes, community benefits and overall efficiencies and resiliency. The work takes a boundary-less approach and signals a paradigm shift in our approach to three waters management.

The study focuses on the development, delivery and management of municipal three waters (water, stormwater and wastewater) infrastructure for urban settlements in the study area. The study area includes parts of the Waikato and Waipa districts and all of the Hamilton City Council jurisdiction. It is wholly within the Waikato Regional Council jurisdiction.

Ten, 30 and 100 year planning horizons have been adopted for the study.

Why do we need this study?

Local authorities, iwi, communities and industry face significant challenges in meeting their current and future three waters service needs. In the Waikato, there are few fully compliant municipal wastewater treatment plants and the majority of municipal wastewater discharge consents will expire in the next 10 years.

The Waikato River is almost fully allocated as a water resource during summer low flow conditions and it is clear we are not making best use of this precious resource. The impact of urban stormwater and drainage discharge on our waterways is acknowledged and needs solutions.

Land use activities, drainage, and infrastructure and land development decisions have contributed to a current state where:

• The water quality of the Waikato River is significantly degraded and does not meet current expectations or technical targets.
• In general, three waters infrastructure is inefficient and ageing, no longer fit-for-purpose, with a significant legacy of underinvestment.
• There is uncertainty around the abilities of individual councils to fund infrastructure, maintenance and operations for future growth and to achieve regulatory targets for freshwater quality.
• There is concern about whether or not, under existing funding arrangements, ratepayers will be able to afford appropriate three waters infrastructure in the future.

Future growth pressures, environmental expectations and increased regulatory requirements are likely to exacerbate these issues.

Currently Hamilton City, Waikato District, and Waipa District Councils are individually responsible for three waters infrastructure and services in their respective communities. Stakeholders recognise that a strongly collaborative approach across councils is critical to making the changes needed to address these issues and realise opportunities. The success of the H2A Corridor Plan relies on a sub-regional three waters approach.

Parties

Tangata and mana whenua, Hamilton City Council, Waikato and Waipa district councils, Waikato Regional Council, Department of Internal Affairs, Treasury, Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, Ministry for the Environment, Watercare and Future Proof.

Development

The study is being delivered in three phases:

• Phase 1 is complete. Key deliverables include a Strategic Business Case and Wastewater Treatment Feasibility Study. The Feasibility Study was undertaken for the Hamilton metro area and will be revisited and further developed through a parallel study - Waikato Metro Wastewater Detailed Business Case Project.
• Phase 2 is currently underway. The key deliverable is a Programme Business Case. The Programme Business Case will identify key three waters projects and activities necessary to achieve the agreed programme objectives, including delivering 'best for river' outcomes.
• Phase 3 will involve the implementation of the Programme Business Case including key asset and non-asset based projects and activities.