Christchurch residents will have the opportunity to share their views on how the city’s three water services—water supply, wastewater, and stormwater—should be delivered in the future.

Christchurch City Council has approved a public consultation process on three potential delivery models: an in-house model, a Council-Controlled Organisation (CCO), and a Two-Waters CCO, which would separate stormwater from the other services.

The review comes as part of the Government’s Local Water Done Well (LWDW) reform, aimed at improving water infrastructure across the country. Mayor Phil Mauger said ensuring sustainable and efficient water services remains a top priority for Christchurch residents.

“We need to make sure water services are delivered sustainably and efficiently for the people of Christchurch who tell us time and time again how important water is to them,” Mauger said.

The three options under review:
• In-house model: Council retains full governance and operational control, with funding from existing revenue sources and flexibility in charging methods.
• Council-Controlled Organisation (CCO): Managed by an independent board, with funding separate from general Council operations. Charges would shift from rates to fixed fees or volumetric pricing within five years.
• Two-Waters CCO: Water supply and wastewater would be managed by an independent organisation, while stormwater remains under Council control.

Mauger said that while the Indicative Business Case had identified the in-house model as the Council’s preferred option, public input was crucial before a final decision was made.

“In March, we’ll go out for feedback with the pros and cons of each model outlined for the public to take into consideration,” he said.

Regardless of which model is chosen, Mauger assured residents that water services would be maintained or improved, with minimal impact on rates.

Under the LWDW framework, councils must select a proposed water service delivery model and submit a Water Services Delivery Plan to the Department of Internal Affairs by September 2025.