These Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) are designed to give quick, clear answers about water meters, pricing, leaks, drinking water quality, faults, wastewater, customer responsibilities, and your rights under New Zealand’s water services laws.
All information below is based on verified national standards, NPDC metering updates, Our customer guidance, and Taumata Arowai’s regulatory framework.
Water appearance and taste can vary due to natural changes in the supply, planned maintenance, or temporary disturbances in pipes. Under the Drinking Water Standards, suppliers must meet aesthetic values covering taste, smell, and clarity — even when there is no health risk. These aesthetic values guide how suppliers maintain high‑quality drinking water.
Yes. Drinking water must meet all relevant Water Services Regulations, which include supplying safe water, monitoring risks, and complying with the Drinking Water Standards and Quality Assurance Rules.
Suppliers also follow Taumata Arowai’s mandatory monitoring and reporting requirements to ensure water is consistently safe.
Taumata Arowai is the national water services regulator. It oversees:
Water meters help identify leaks, reduce wastage, and support fair charging. Early metering across NPDC has already identified a large number of leaks with even a small number of repairs saving enough water to match an entire town’s daily use.
Some leaks waste enormous amounts. We have encountered a number of properties using 40 cubic metres of water a day (about 300 bathtubs worth) due to a leak.
The recommended method is simple:
