Safe water every day for everyone Kia tiakina te wai hei oranga mō te katoa
Have your say on the second tranche of wastewater standards
The Authority is currently consulting on a second tranche of proposed wastewater standards. These proposals cover two areas: discharge to air (odour) and discharge of metals in treated wastewater to water.
We are seeking feedback on whether stakeholders support the proposals and whether any changes are considered necessary or beneficial.
The consultation period is open for six weeks, closing on 22 October 2026.
Latest news and events
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Have your say on proposed national wastewater standards for odour and metals
10 September 2026The Water Services Authority has begun consulting on two further national environmental performance wastewater standards addressing odour and metals discharged to water.Find out more -
Insights from Moa Point report
4 September 2026The independent Moa Point Crown Review Report identifies systemic failures and vulnerabilities that extend beyond Wellington.Find out more -
Ten years on from Havelock North, New Zealand's drinking water system is stronger and safer
13 August 2026Ten years after the Havelock North drinking water campylobacter contamination event, New Zealand has fundamentally transformed the way drinking water is regulated and managed, resulting in safer drinking water for hundreds of thousands more people.Find out more -
Feedback sought on National Engineering Design Standards framework
5 August 2026The Water Services Authority is engaging with the water sector on an organising framework for new National Engineering Design Standards.Find out more
Engaging on national engineering design standards
We’re engaging with the water services sector over the next five weeks on a proposed framework for National Engineering Design Standards (NEDS).
Councils currently use their own local codes of practice for all types of water infrastructure, creating a fragmented system with up to 45 different codes in use across New Zealand.
The NEDS will provide a nationally consistent approach to building and upgrading water supply, wastewater and stormwater infrastructure. The standards will apply across the entire lifecycle of water infrastructure.
We’re seeking feedback on how the standards and codes of practice should be organised, and what we should prioritise for the first set of national standards and codes of practice.
Network Environmental Performance Report 2024/25
We have published the Network Environmental Performance Report 2024/25 providing a valuable evidence base as the water sector enters a period of significant change.
The findings show many networks are under pressure, highlighting the need for better data, maintenance and targeted investment to manage risks to public health, the environment and long-term resilience.
