What we do

Drinking water: safe, reliable, every day

Your drinking water is protected under the Water Services Legislation, which requires all water suppliers to provide water that is safe to drink, meets Drinking Water Standards, and is supported by risk‑based Drinking Water Safety Plans.

These standards — set and enforced by Taumata Arowai — outline maximum acceptable values (MAVs) for key contaminants and prescribe the monitoring, testing, and treatment processes we must follow. The Drinking Water Quality Assurance Rules define the routines and reporting requirements for suppliers like us.

In practical terms, that means:

• Continuous monitoring and sampling
• Maintaining barriers to protect against bacteria and protozoa
• Ensuring enough water is supplied to meet community needs
• Being ready to act fast if anything looks unusual
• Communicating clearly if an advisory (like a boil‑water notice) is needed

Every time you turn on the tap, our job is to ensure that water is safe, pleasant to drink, and consistently available — no matter the season, weather, or demand.

Wastewater: protecting our environment

We collect, convey, and treat wastewater from homes and businesses before safely returning it to the environment. Wastewater networks are under growing scrutiny across New Zealand, and Taumata Arowai now oversees national wastewater environmental performance standards that set expectations for monitoring, reporting, and reducing overflows and bypasses.

Our wastewater responsibilities include:

• Maintaining and renewing pipes, pump stations, and treatment assets
• Reducing the risk of wastewater overflows during storms
• Ensuring environmentally responsible treatment and discharge
• Monitoring flows and performance to meet national and regional requirements
• Publishing environmental performance as standards mature

Our aim is to minimise impacts on waterways, beaches, ecosystems, public health, and cultural values — ensuring our infrastructure meets local needs and national expectations.

Customer responsibilities: working together

Water services are a partnership between the CCO and customers. We take responsibility for the public network — the pipes, plants, pump stations, and reservoirs that deliver water and collect wastewater.

Customers, meanwhile, are generally responsible for:

• Plumbing and pipes on private property beyond the point of supply
• Fixtures and fittings (toilets, taps, irrigation, hot water cylinders)
• Repairing private leaks when identified
• Complying with requirements around backflow prevention (especially for high‑risk properties)

Local water services bylaws provide the detailed rules for these responsibilities and define how we protect the shared network from contamination and misuse.

By working together — maintaining private pipes, reporting leaks early, and using water wisely — we can reduce costs, improve system performance, protect the environment, and support a safer, more resilient district.

Our commitment

Across drinking water and wastewater, we are committed to:

• Meeting national standards and regulatory expectations
• Publishing transparent performance results
• Providing clear guidance and help for customers
• Planning long‑term to build a resilient and affordable network

Safe water and responsible wastewater management are fundamental to community wellbeing — and we’re here to deliver both, every day.