John Dardis (Progressive Democrats)

It is important local authority members would be made aware of their responsibilities and the need to take a strategic view on how water should be managed and used. One of the disappointing features of what has happened in the past is that under much of our legislation, local authorities have been exempt when it came to matters such as pollution, etc. In other words, they always have a get-out clause which the ordinary citizen does not have.

One often hears from members and management at council meetings sanctimonious speeches on the need to protect the environment but this is not backed up by what they are doing. One cannot demand of the ordinary citizen that he or she apply a high standard when the local authority is not prepared to do the same. These are important aspects. Other aspects of the Bill, alluded to earlier, give more teeth to the local authorities to enable them fulfil their obligations with regard to waste water discharges and the quality of water provided. Too much has happened in the past to allow them get off the hook. The famous BATNEEC, "best available technology not entailing excessive cost", was frequently used as a get-out-clause for not doing what was required.