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Drinking Water Stories - Page 2

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Drinking Water stories

Ohakune residents demand answers after reservoir runs dry
Civil Defence

Ohakune residents demand answers after reservoir runs dry

Residents were warned too late as Ohakune's reservoir emptied, leaving businesses and households without water on a busy winter weekend.

By Local Democracy Reporter • 5 min read • Wed, 12th Aug 2026
'Never had anything like it' - The crisis that changed New Zealand, 10 years on
Risk & Compliance

'Never had anything like it' - The crisis that changed New Zealand, 10 years on

Ten years on, the outbreak still shapes drinking-water rules after contaminated taps sickened more than 5,500 people and killed four.

By Local Democracy Reporter • 6 min read • Wed, 12th Aug 2026
Water New Zealand hails STEM subjects to ease skills gap
Data Analytics

Water New Zealand hails STEM subjects to ease skills gap

The sector's 10,000-worker shortfall could widen unless more students see water jobs beyond engineering, Water New Zealand says.

By Sean Mitchell • 4 min read • Mon, 10th Aug 2026
New Zealand report flags strain in wastewater networks
Risk & Compliance

New Zealand report flags strain in wastewater networks

Untreated discharges, leakage and ageing assets are putting public health and the environment at risk, the water watchdog says.

By Sean Mitchell • 5 min read • Mon, 27th Jul 2026
Three Waters debate drowning out the real issue
University of Otago

Three Waters debate drowning out the real issue

Public health risks from contaminated drinking water remain at the heart of the reforms, as debate over local control overshadows safety.

By Staff Writer • 3 min read • Mon, 5th Dec 2022
Mayors propose simpler Three Waters alternative
Urban Planning

Mayors propose simpler Three Waters alternative

Councils could get a simpler path to fund water upgrades after the mayors’ plan was backed as a more practical alternative to Three Waters.

By Staff Writer • 6 min read • Fri, 4th Nov 2022
You can’t push regulation change without economic provision
Climate change

You can’t push regulation change without economic provision

Delays to economic regulation could leave councils reluctant to invest, slowing safer water upgrades for rural communities.

By Staff Writer • 7 min read • Thu, 14th Mar 2019
Keeping dirt and stains off walls and surfaces
Facilities management

Keeping dirt and stains off walls and surfaces

Walls and public surfaces could stay cleaner for longer after WACKER unveiled coatings that resist stains, graffiti and posters.

By Staff Writer • 3 min read • Mon, 4th Sep 2017
Formal collaboration needed for safe drinking water
Risk & Compliance

Formal collaboration needed for safe drinking water

A national overhaul is being urged to close gaps in oversight after the Havelock North outbreak exposed weak co-operation across the sector.

By Staff Writer • 2 min read • Wed, 5th Jul 2017
Bad relationship poisoned Havelock North water
Local Government

Bad relationship poisoned Havelock North water

More than 5,000 Havelock North residents fell ill after faecal contamination entered the town's drinking water, a government inquiry found.

By Staff Writer • 6 min read • Thu, 11th May 2017

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