Right to Safe Drinking Water ICESCR Art: 12 LOIPR Para: 2 SDG: 12 100. The Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights recommended at New Zealand’s last review that the government “ensure that the right to affordable and safe water remains guaranteed, including in the context of privatization of water distribution”. 101. However, recent events indicate that considerable challenges still exist when it comes to ensuring the right to safe drinking water in New Zealand. In August 2016, a widespread outbreak of gastroenteritis caused by the presence of E. coli in the water led to more than 5000 people becoming ill and contributed to the deaths of three people in Havelock North, a town of 15,000 people.134 This major incident led to a government inquiry into the causes of the outbreak and a wider review of drinking water safety across New Zealand.135 102. The Havelock North drinking water inquiry found widespread and systematic failings in the supply of safe drinking water across New Zealand. Among the findings were that nearly 800,000 people (20 percent of the serviced population) are supplied water that is not demonstrably safe to drink136 and that between 18,000 and 100,000 cases of sporadic waterborne illness occur each year.137 Those from smaller communities of less than 5000 people are the worst affected and likely getting water that doesn’t meet international drinking water standards.138 The Report made 51 recommendations to the government, including universal treatment of drinking supplies and the possibility of a national regulator. The new government has indicated that they are considering the recommendations and will be responding quickly to the issues raised.139 However, the government is yet to announce any concrete steps it has taken. 103. Also concerning is that Christchurch’s secure bore status was removed in December 2017, after an engineers’ assessment of the below-ground wells raised concern that they may not be sufficiently sealed to prevent surface groundwater contamination.140 In January 2018, the Christchurch City Council decided to chlorinate water in the city for up to a year in an effort to stave off potential contamination and has ordered an external review of the matter.141 33