Water  |  14 Jun 2019

Public feedback opens today on a 100-year strategy for the future of the district’s water services and resources.

The Draft Integrated Water Strategy sets guidelines and goals for the Council’s management of its “three waters” services – drinking water, wastewater and stormwater – as well as surface water, groundwater and flood management.

Water going a hand basin drain.

Did you know that Christchurch City Council is responsible for more than 7800 kilometres of supply, waste and stormwater pipes throughout the district. That's enough piping to span the length of New Zealand nine times.

Water accounts for about a quarter of the Council’s expected spending over the next 10 years, with up to $10 billion budgeted in its Long Term Plan.

Acting Head of Three Waters and Waste Helen Beaumont says the strategy will support the ongoing recovery activities following the earthquakes and set a path for future management of the district’s water resources.

“We want to make sure our water services, infrastructure and water taonga are managed in a way that supports the environmental, social, cultural and economic wellbeing of current and future generations.

“The draft strategy is a ‘big picture’ document that considers all of Christchurch’s different water resources, values and demands, and sets a framework to help us manage them on behalf of the community over the next 100 years and beyond.”

Public feedback on the Draft Integrated Water Strategy is open until 14 July 2019. A series of public information drop-in sessions are being held across the city and Banks Peninsula.

For more information, including the full draft strategy and ways to have your say, visit ccc.govt.nz/ourwater.

Printed copies of the draft strategy and consultation documents are available at Council libraries and service centres, or at the Council’s Civic Offices, 53 Hereford Street.