What guides our fees and charges?
We will set drinking water and wastewater charges in line with our Water Services Strategy and Fees and Charges Policy.
Together, these documents explain why prices change, how pricing decisions are made, and what this means for customers over time.
The Water Services Strategy will set the big‑picture direction. It explains the services we’re responsible for, the investment needed to keep water safe and reliable, and how costs are shared fairly between today’s customers and future generations. It also shows how we balance important factors like public health, service reliability, affordability, and growth when decisions are made.
The Fees and Charges Policy will explain how pricing works in practice. It sets out the principles we use, how different charges are applied, and will include our detailed Fees and Charges Schedule for the year ahead. This policy helps make pricing clear, consistent, and transparent.
We are also required to operate within New Zealand’s economic regulation framework for water services, overseen by the Commerce Commission. This means Selwyn Water must be transparent about how prices are set, how revenue is used, and how decisions support efficient investment and long‑term outcomes for consumers.
Community engagement
We engaged with the community in May 2026 on our first Water Services Strategy, which was approved in June 2026. As this is an initial 12-month Strategy, it will be reviewed in 2027 to align with the Council's next Long-Term Plan.
As a new water services provider, Selwyn Water is taking a step-by-step approach. In the short-term, pricing largely reflects existing arrangements to provide stability during the transition. Over time, we will continue to review and update pricing based on community feedback, improved information about asset condition and service requirements, and any regulatory changes. This will help us make informed decisions about where and when investment is needed to best meet the needs of our growing community.
As part of the 2027 review, we will seek community feedback on what matters most to you, including water pricing, affordability, and how water services are funded now and into the future.
We are committed to clearly explaining any changes to charges, including why they are needed and how affordability has been considered, so you understand what is changing and why.