ABSTRACT
Prior to the Water Act 1989, water pollution was the responsibility of 10 regional water authorities who were empowered to issue discharge consents to those wishing to use watercourses as a means of disposing of waste. Three main criticisms were levelled at this system. First, the water authorities had regional jurisdiction which meant that the consents varied from region to region reflecting local needs and conditions. Secondly, because the water authorities were also responsible for sewage disposal there was an inevitable conflict of interest with the pollution control functions. Thirdly, the roles of the regional water authorities and their culture derived from a time when environmental standards and expectations were low. The result was very poor water quality.
