The Secretary for Local Government has approved Waitaki District Council's amended plan to rejoin the Southern Waters partnership.
The council withdrew from the partnership last year and accepted Crown intervention after its independent water plan was rejected. Under the approved arrangement, Waitaki will join with Central Otago, Clutha and Gore councils in Southern Waters to manage drinking water, wastewater and stormwater provision.
The partnership assumes responsibility for water services, charging and infrastructure from July 2027. Chief executive Alex Parmley said the decision would help manage financial pressure from water investment requirements under government reforms.