2010 ANNUAL REPORT - Watercare

WATERCARE SERVICES LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2010Advisory Group ReportsEnvironmental Advisory Group1 July 2010The Environmental Advisory Group has continued to engage in thoughtful discussions with Watercare on the environmental effectsof its decisions and to give informed input into its plans, projects and operations.Each of us is well placed to challenge Watercare’s thinking, offering insights from our area of individual expertise. Our experienceas advocates in community organisations and in the development of public policy gives us keen insights into areas of public concern.Over the last 12 months, we have been actively engaged in discussions with Watercare about how the environmental implicationsof the following can best be addressed:ÌÌ The integration of water and wastewater services in the region as a result of the local government reforms.ÌÌ Plans for the future development of Watercare’s wastewater treatment plants and network, including the proposed constructionof a central wastewater interceptor, the proposed rehabilitation of Puketutu Island with biosolids, plans to construct three newpump stations in west Auckland, and plans to review the condition of the rural plants Watercare will be responsible for after1 November 2010.ÌÌ The Three Waters project, integrating the management of water supply, wastewater and stormwater.ÌÌ The role of small-scale wastewater treatment systems.ÌÌ Watercare’s response to proposed policy and plan variations that have the potential to affect extraction from the Waikato Riverfor municipal water supply.ÌÌ Watercare’s response to national freshwater and coastal policies that have the potential to impact its wastewater operations.ÌÌ Amendments to the Trade Wastes Bylaw.We have also stressed the need to future proof current positive environmental outcomes through the impending regionalgovernance changes.We look forward to another year of working with Watercare and to ensuring a focus on environmental sustainability is retainedin the incoming structure. Key challenges we see in the near future include:ÌÌ The need to ensure the management of stormwater is handled in an integrated manner in light of its separation fromwastewater and water supply in the new regional governance structure. While the group acknowledges that Watercare inheritsno direct responsibility for stormwater, there is a need to develop stretch targets and effective solutions to its (at times)major environmental impacts. Watercare can contribute to this via integration of management across the interface betweenstormwater and those elements of the three waters under its control.ÌÌ Opportunities for reduction of water consumption and realisation of appropriate re-use initiatives.MembersFocusadvisory group reportsPaul WalbranChairmanEnvironmental Advisory GroupPaul Walbran (Chairman)Ken CattAnne FennCarol McSweeneyDr Peter MaddisonJudy BischoffBob TaitWater quality, harbour health and heritageThe water cycleEnvironmental policy and implementationAir quality, ecosystems and botanyEntomology, flora and faunaWater and land use, energyBiosolids20