Conference tackles tough water issues facing New Zealand

Conference tackles tough water issues facing New Zealand

18 October 2016

New Zealand is facing serious and unprecedented challenges around our water resources, from providing clean and safe drinking water to how we provide sustainable solutions for wastewater and storm waters.

Water New Zealand Chief Executive, John Pfahlert says changing population, along with climate change and an ageing infrastructure will present some major and costly challenges to communities, local authorities and central government.

“We need to be planning for this now.”

He says the Havelock North water contamination crisis shows just how serious water issues can be when systems break down.

These challenges will be a key focus of a three day Water New Zealand conference in Rotorua (October 19-21) which will bring together industry leaders from around New Zealand and overseas.

The Water New Zealand Annual Conference and Expo will feature keynote speakers exploring the latest thinking and developments in science and technology and the effect our political, social and economic environment has on this most critical resource.

Environment Minister Nick Smith along with international experts on water, energy, climate and packaging recovery will be attending the conference, including the President of the World Water Federation and Coca Cola Global Director of Sustainability, Paul Bowen, along with the Deputy Director of the Environment and Research Bureau of Meteorology in Australia, Graham Hawke.

New Zealand keynote speakers include Watercare Chief Executive, Raveen Jaduram and Chairman, Auckland Transport and the Auckland and Waitemata District Health Boards, Dr Lester Levy.

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