What does the new government intend for Drinking Water?

In August 2024, Cabinet agreed to change water quality standards enforced by the Water Services Authority, Taumata Arowai. The changes were announced as removing barriers for the regulator. The legislation was planned to be introduced by the end of 2024.

The changes include:

• Ensuring Taumata Arowai considers the cost of compliance on suppliers;

• Excluding 'shared domestic supplies' serving 25 consumers or fewer from regulation. Only supplies that serve 26 or more, and supplies serving under 26 for a community or commercial purpose, would need to be registered with Taumata Arowai;

• Enabling Taumata Arowai to proactively allow exemptions from some regulations if they would be impractical, inefficient, unduly costly or burdensome;

• Removing the requirement for Taumata Arowai and suppliers to give effect to Te Mana o te Wai

More information will become available on the Department of Internal Affairs and Taumata Arowai websites.