Waitaki District Council is rejoining the Southern Waters partnership it ditched last year. The council has announced it will team up with Central Otago, Clutha and Gore district councils to deliver drinking water, wastewater and stormwater services after its in-house water services plan was rejected by the Department of Internal Affairs. The Mackenzie and Timaru District Councils are also expected to make a decision about joining the partnership on Tuesday afternoon. "It would fail in the foreseeable future in terms of water services compliance and charges to Waitaki's water customers. Waitaki District Council said it was continuing a review of the condition of its water assets ordered by the Department of Internal Affairs.

Source: Otago Daily Times February 24, 2026 16:52 UTC