A new $10 million central government programme supporting rural drinking water suppliers could make a real difference for the Ōpōtiki district.

Ōpōtiki Mayor David Moore says the Rural Drinking Water Programme announced by Associate Minister of Local Government Kieran McAnulty last week could be a game changer.

The programme has been created to support rural drinking water suppliers meet new Taumata Arowai water standards.

It comes after a $20 million fund Local Government Minister Nanaia Mahuta announced last month for water systems serving rural marae, papakāinga and kōhanga reo.

'The Government is committed to addressing rising water costs and improving water infrastructure,” says McAnulty.

'This programme will provide targeted support for rural drinking water suppliers to make sure they are able to continue to provide water to our rural communities that is affordable and reliable.”

'Across the Ōpōtiki district, more than half of our drinking water connections are not through council-run schemes so this is top-of-mind for us,” says Moore.

'I would encourage anyone who is on a small community or marae-based water supply to look into this new fund. It can help upgrade equipment and training to use it. It is all about safer and sustainable drinking water for everyone.”

Individual houses on private systems - for example, rainwater tanks - are not covered by this new funding programme but may be able to approach Work and Income for additional support.

Further information on the programme, including how eligible rural water suppliers can register interest, is available on the Crown Infrastructure website, crowninfrastructure.govt.nz/ruralwater.

-Public Interest Journalism funded through NZ On Air.