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Local Water Done Well (Update of forecasted Water Charges)
- Hellen_Swales
- Aug 1
- 5 min read
Updated: Oct 1
Upper Hutt, 1st August 2025
Introduction - What I have been up to.
My Mayoral nomination papers have been presented and accepted and yes, it felt a bit like a rush! A few people have asked why I haven’t officially submitted my candidacy papers sooner. Well, twofold:
I’m fully committed to my current responsibilities as Deputy Mayor. That role comes with daily demands, and serving our city remains my top priority. While I’m preparing to stand for Mayor, I’m also making sure I don’t step away from the duties I was elected to carry out.
I’ve been taking the time to continue to connect with our community, listen to your concerns, and making sure I’m putting forward a campaign that reflects what really matters to Upper Hutt. Standing for Mayor isn’t just about paperwork, it’s about purpose, preparation, and the people.
So, I have been working hard within the community:
Helping members of our community sending in their submissions to government on the affordability of the new Local Water Done Well,
Attending to council duties, including two rounds of citizenship with over 130+ new members of our community becoming New Zealand Citizens. I have the hard job of inviting them to the stage “by name” to receive their certificate. Some of their names need preparation courtesy of Google.
Advocating for signatures for the nationwide health petition, the “Buller Declaration”,
Chairing Regional Waste Management Forum at the Dowse in Lower Hutt for the Wellington Regional elected members, and Council officers to hear Waste industry leaders share the innovations and new technologies out there. The focus being “Lifting the Lid on Waste, Turning Insights into Action,”.
I’ve been actively working with our community to address concerns about rising rates, including helping residents navigate and access the rates rebate scheme. I only wish more support was available for renters, local businesses, and community organisations, who are also feeling the flow-on effects of these increases.
I’ve also been preparing to endorse John Bacon, an outstanding member of our community, to receive Council recognition for his contributions to our city. I look forward to his nomination from our community.
Until recently, I was locked out of Facebook after my account was hacked and suspended for 6 months. Thankfully, I’ve regained access and now I’m doing my darndest to keep you updated through both my Deputy Mayor and Hellen for Mayor pages and my website.
So, let's move into the heart of this week's blog
Local Water Done Well – Water Charges
A priority I have been working with the community recently is Local Water Done Well. I have said for some time that the cost of water to our community could get to approximately $7000 per year. I even stated this in the UHCC Let’s Korero Facebook live event during the Annual Plan Consultation period.
I foresee this being a struggle for many in our community and I am also hearing that Government legislation on Local Water Done Well is not taking into consideration the environment. This is a concern to many in our community, especially regarding the health of Te Awa Kairangi (Hutt River).
With the help of the community, we have been understanding the water challenges we face and the indicative costings which have been signalled recently.
Recently, in Central Hawke’s Bay and our close neighbours in South Wairarapa, indicative water costs are beginning to mirror trends we’re seeing across the country. This isn’t just an Upper Hutt issue, it’s a nationwide challenge.
“Water charges had been projected to more than double from $3200 this year for the average household, to $7000 in 2034 – and this is in a community where the median household income is just $82,100.”
At the Upper Hutt council meeting on the 30th June 2025 a report provided to councillors stated that in 2034 the expected cost of water would be 3.3% of the median household income.
Community members took this information and data from MBIE (Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment) on the median household income for Upper Hutt and forecast the potential water costs in 2034. This was shared at the recent Weaving the Harakeke Hui which I attend regularly.
In other areas of New Zealand this is also reflected with financial metrics for the Water services sitting within 2.5%-3.5% of median household income.
I believe these numbers are not sustainable for most New Zealanders; this is a nationwide issue, not just Upper Hutt, and I believe the community should be provided with more information in an easily accessible way, so that we all have a say in the direction of the delivery of water in our regions.
In addition to this, there are additional levies as stated in the agenda paper for the Finance and Performance Committee Meeting held on the 28th of May.
These are for the Water Services Authority (Taumata Arowai) at a levy of $4.14 (GST Excl) per person and the Commerce Commission for its services at a levy of $1.30 (GST Excl) per person or $3.51 (GST Excl) per household (on the basis of 2.7 people per household).
The proposed method of levy apportionment is on a population basis (2023 Census) rather than charging the property. On this basis, the indicative total amount the Upper Hutt City Council will be required to recover for 2025 - 26 is $261,000, which will be an ongoing, population-adjusted, annual levy on our community.
Local Water Done Well Update from UHCC CEO
Recently The Upper Hutt CEO, Geoff Swainson, gave a rundown of Local Water Done Well at the Weaving the Harakeke Hui on the 21st July 2025.
Key points from the Hui:
Why didn’t Upper Hutt go it alone?
Drinking water comes from Te Marua lakes which is owned and supplied by Greater Wellington Regional Council. Upper Hutt does not have a stand-alone water treatment plant to provide good quality drinking/potable water. Equally Upper Hutt does not have a wastewater plant. Currently waste goes down through pipes to Petone to the Seaview wastewater treatment plant. Upper Hutt is so dependent on Greater Wellington Regional Council for water and working with Hutt City for wastewater treatment.
Why have councils/new entity not looked into the recover through levies for commercial water users/polluters.
Central Government are moving us all to paying for water by the litre. For the first year or 2 your council will be collecting the charges for the water. Council will not be setting the charges, just collecting them.
We need change of culture around water. What can councils and individuals do to assist with these huge costs of water?
Comes back to land use and what controls you want over it. Kapiti have a range of things you must do. Split systems and each new build has to have a tank to collect rainwater for use as brown water (for flushing, gardens, etc.)
Read the entire Hui Minutes here.
Can I just disconnect from the city water supply and not have to pay for water?
Yes, you can disconnect from the city water supply, however there is a clause which says if you are within 100m of a town water supply you will be charged 50% of the water charge.
If the way that Local Water Done Well is headed is a concern for you, and now also knowing that Council is being mandated by Central Government to pay such levies. I encourage you to put your thoughts in writing and express your concerns. I’ve suggested four key contacts who would be most appropriate for you to reach out to.
Authorised by Hellen Swales: hellenformayor@gmail.com
