25 June 2026
Selwyn Water’s Board has approved its first Water Services Strategy and confirmed pricing for 2026/27, marking a key milestone for the organisation.
The 12-month Strategy outlines how drinking water and wastewater services will be delivered, funded and improved, while confirming an 18% increase in charges for 2026/27 – down from the original forecast of 24%. This was achieved through applying financial discipline and rigour to early budgets resulting in cost savings and operational efficiencies.
Selwyn Water will deliver close to $82 million in drinking water and wastewater projects in its first year to meet growing demand, improve performance and reliability, and renew existing assets.
For residents, this means the average urban household receiving both drinking water and wastewater services will pay approximately $1,831 in the coming financial year – an increase of $280 from the current year (2025/26), or around $5 a day for essential water services.
Selwyn Water Chair Murray Strong said the decision provides clarity for the community and establishes a strong foundation for the new organisation.
“This 12-month Strategy sets a clear and practical direction as Selwyn Water begins operating independently,” Mr Strong said.
“It reflects a disciplined approach to managing water infrastructure’s true cost, while ensuring we have time to continue the work needed over the next 12 months and return to the community with a more robust 10-year Strategy.
“Over that time, we will strengthen our asset information, the sequencing of projects, identify further efficiencies, and work closely with our shareholder to ensure our longer-term Strategy aligns with the needs of the district.”
Selwyn Water Chief Executive Alex Cabrera said the focus is now on delivering a smooth transition for customers as the organisation becomes fully operational.
“Our priority is maintaining reliable services while building the systems, capability and information needed to support long-term planning and investment.”
The Strategy follows community engagement in May, which received 128 submissions. Feedback showed strong support for the overall direction, alongside a clear focus on affordability, fairness and transparency.
“We heard clearly that people want confidence in how decisions are made, how money is spent, and what they can expect in the future,” Mr Strong said.
“That feedback strongly aligns with the approach we are taking.”
The final Strategy strengthens commitments in areas identified as most important to the community, including:
- Affordability and the management of price increases
- Growth-funding and cost allocation between users
- Transparency and clarity of pricing and decision-making
- Fairness and equity across customer groups
- Confidence in the scale and justification of investment
- Targeted customer support for hardship and vulnerability
- Ongoing focus on water quality and maintaining customer confidence
From 1 July, Selwyn Water will begin directly billing customers for drinking water and wastewater services.
- Read the Water Services Strategy
- Read more about the Water Services Strategy Engagement