What advice has the Minister received on the potential impact of a third of wastewater plants operating on expired consents, listed by title and date?

Answer

Addressing the number of plants operating on expired consents is a key driver of the wastewater standards. The advice provided to the Minister during 2025 to support decision making regarding the development of the wastewater standards has focussed on the system level challenges and solutions, rather than individual treatment plants. The advice emphasises the significant portion of wastewater treatment plants operating on expired, or soon to expire consents. The relevant briefings are listed below: • Wastewater standards: communications and engagement update (29 January 2025) • (Joint briefing) Proposed wastewater environmental performance standards – draft Cabinet paper and discussion document for Ministerial and departmental consultation (29 January 2025) • (Joint briefing) Support material for Cabinet Economic Policy Committee – approval to publicly consult on proposed national wastewater environmental standards (18 February 2025) • (Joint briefing) Wastewater consents – options to extend timeframe for expiring consents (14 March 2025) • (Joint briefing) Proposed wastewater standards: summary of submissions and proposed updates (28 May 2025) • (Joint briefing) Upholding Treaty settlement obligations in the development of the wastewater environmental performance standards (13 August 2025) • (Joint briefing) Water Service (Wastewater Environmental Performance Standards) Regulations 2025 – Approval to lodge (13 October 2025) Where a joint briefing is indicated, this was developed jointly with the Department of Internal Affairs.