Selwyn District is the first council in the country to launch its new water services entity, Selwyn Water, helping ensure safe, reliable, and affordable drinking water and wastewater for its community.
The Selwyn Water team chose to work with Datacom’s ‘Water Asset Intelligence’ platform – WAI – a ‘ready to go’ pre-configured platform that provides support for councils that opt to establish a Council-Controlled Organisation (CCO) for the planning and management of their water services.
Datacom’s WAI platform enables councils to run all critical elements of their new CCO in an integrated, transparent way – bringing together data management, IoT water metering, water network monitoring, water billing and supporting public consultation.
Alex Cabrera is project director for the Local Water Done Well initiative at Selwyn District Council and is responsible for overseeing the strategic direction and implementation of the council’s water reform efforts, ensuring these align with the government's initiative to improve water services and infrastructure. We asked Alex Cabrera about the proactive approach being taken by the Selwyn District Council team, what they have learned so far as they have set up their CCO and how the Datacom team have supported them in creating vital digital infrastructure to underpin the CCO and help them deliver safe, reliable water for their community.
Alex Cabrera: Our vision is to move away from a traditional council provider service to one more aligned with a utilities-type organisation. Our focus is on investment in future infrastructure, being very strategic about that investment. It's about creating efficiencies and building the resilience that our network needs. By stepping up early, we have been able to shape the future for ourselves and our community, rather than waiting for government mandates.
Alex Cabrera: The Selwyn Water CCO is designed to run more like a utility company. This allows us to plan and invest in water infrastructure for the long haul, better serving the community and addressing the district's unique challenges. We are keen on collaboration and sharing what we've learned, contributing to the wider New Zealand water sector. Our experience and lessons could be valuable for other councils considering similar changes.
Alex Cabrera: You don't need to have all the answers on day one. It's probably less complicated than you think. The key is to take that first step and find the right partnerships and people to work with. Everything else tends to fall into place.
Alex Cabrera: We are focused on understanding the real cost of delivering water services and making sure we invest in the right infrastructure. This should lead to a more manageable financial situation for both the CCO and the community in the long run. The legislation provides a good framework for intergenerational investments, which is critical from an infrastructure management perspective.
Alex Cabrera: The digital platform was identified very early on as a critical element for setting up the organisation and achieving the efficiencies we committed to. Our partnership with Datacom and their Datascape platform has been vital. It allows us to make data-driven decisions, achieve operational efficiencies, and plan strategically for future infrastructure needs.
Alex Cabrera: This journey has definitely reshaped the conversation. There is a greater focus on transparency and trust, and we are seeing shifts in service expectations. The community is more engaged and supportive of the changes, understanding the long-term benefits of our strategic approach.
Alex Cabrera: Moving forward, we will continue to focus on delivering good services in a financially sustainable way while investing strategically in future infrastructure needs. We are also committed to collaborating with other councils and service providers, contributing to the broader New Zealand water reform agenda.
Alex Cabrera: The implementation process was fluid and collaborative. It took about five and a half months to set up the CCO. The Datacom team integrated closely with our project team, bringing technical expertise and problem-solving capabilities. Their local presence allowed for face-to-face collaboration, which was invaluable.
Alex Cabrera: We chose Datacom based on their reputation, participation in all-of-government contracts for procurement purposes, and their ability to provide both technical expertise and strategic thinking support. We needed a partner who could help shape our thinking and come up with solutions.
Alex Cabrera: We are measuring success through operational efficiencies, community feedback, and the ability to make data-driven decisions. The digital platform allows us to track performance and make adjustments as needed.
Alex Cabrera: The biggest difference came from having a local team that could work closely with us, bringing technical expertise and becoming part of our wider project team. Their problem-solving capability was significant in our journey and success.
Alex Cabrera: I would say, don't be intimidated by the process. It's probably less complicated than you think. Take the first step, find the right partners, and work collaboratively. The benefits for your community and the long-term value are well worth the effort.
We partner with councils to align their strategy with service delivery, supporting long-term planning and future readiness. Through ongoing technical advice, we help them adopt new technologies with confidence. Our thought leadership empowers councils to navigate IT challenges and strengthen their overall digital strategy.
