Am I a Drinking Water Supplier?
Does the act define you as a drinking water supplier?
If so what steps do you need to take to comply?
Find out below.
Taumata Arowai are the new Drinking Water Regulator.
Previously, drinking water standards were the responsibility of the Ministry of Health.
Taumata Arowai are a standalone crown agent with a dedicated focus on drinking water and an oversight role relating to wastewater and stormwater.
Find out more at www.taumataarowai.govt.nz
- Ensuring that New Zealand communities have access to safe drinking water.
- Promoting safe drinking water and improved public health.
- Assessing and reporting on performance of drinking water suppliers.
- Improving and strengthening compliance, monitoring and enforcement with regards to drinking water regulations.
- Building and maintaining capacity amount drinking water suppliers and across the wider industry.
Registration required
If you own or operate a water supply (that you know, or ought reasonably to know) is being used as drinking water by people outside of your own home, you are a Drinking Water Supplier and will have responsibilities under the Water Services Act 2021. Registration required by 15th November 2025.
Registration not required
Domestic self-supplies need not register.
A ‘domestic self-supply’ is a single house or dwelling with its own water supply.
Would you like to know more about the water treatment options available to you to keep your friends and family healthy and safe?
Meanings of Domestic Self-Supply and Domestic Dwelling
1. In the Act, unless the context otherwise requires, domestic self-supply means a stand-alone domestic dwelling that has its own supply of drinking water, and domestic self supply has a corresponding meaning.
Meanings of Domestic Self-Supply and Domestic Dwelling
2. In this Act, domestic dwelling means a building that is used as a single household unit, whether
- Tenanted on a long or short-term basis; or
- Occupied permanently or temporarily (for example, a holiday home) Household unit has the meaning given to it by section 7 of the Building Act 10 2004.
Potable water is water that
- Is safe to drink; and
- Complies with the drinking water standards
Drinking water is water that
- Human consumption; or
- Oral hygiene; or
- Preparing food, drink, or other products for human consumption; or washing utensils that are used for eating and drinking, or for preparing, serving, or storing food or drink for human consumption
All water suppliers, regardless of their size, need to meet the New Zealand Drinking Water Standards and take all practicable steps to comply with Aesthetic Values.
Small water suppliers also need to either adopt an Acceptable Solution, or alternatively, have both a Water Safety Plan and comply with the Drinking Water Quality Assurance rules.
Acceptable Solutions are a practical and cost-effective way for Small Water Suppliers and Drinking Water Suppliers to meet their compliance obligations under the Water Services Act. However, they only apply to particular supply types and situations.
Meeting the New Zealand Drinking Water Standards
Register the supply with Taumata Arowai by November 2025
Equipment and water plan operational by November 2028
Take all reasonable practical steps to comply with Aesthetic Values
Comply with an Acceptable Solution
Implement a Water Safety Plan
Make sure the supply complies with the Drinking Water Quality Assurance Rules
We can assist with designing a system
As a drinking water supplier you have a legal duty of care to supply safe drinking water.
But don’t worry.
We can help you with a stress-free, fully compliant water treatment solution.
Our experience and expertise partnered with quality North American and European suppliers, like Hallett, Atlas Filtri and Ecosoftt, provide effective, peace-of-mind solutions that not only meet the standards but ensure the drinking water you are supplying is both safe and wholesome.
With our Validated UV unit, you can rest assured that your communities health is in good hands.
