It's arguable that the provision of adequate potable water is one of the principle reasons local authorities exist.

News that Tauranga will again suffer water shortages is negligent in the extreme. It could be a health hazard and certainly exposes our residents and visitors to third world standards.

It's not a ‘councilors' problem - they only deal with issues presented to them by council employees. It is unquestionably a staff issue, brought about by their wish to waste ratepayer funds on frivolous non-essentials rather than focusing primarily on the core services we pay them for.

Of course, they may be softening us up for their preferred option of giving away our Three Water assets to an even less efficient organisation.

Maurice O'Reilly, Tauranga (abridged).