Camping campaign

Under campground regulations, campground operators must provide water that is potable (safe to drink). Any campground or campsite that manages its own drinking water supply has a duty to make sure it’s safe.

We’ve created the following resources for you to share with your campground and campsite members, including social media content and tiles, content for your member emails/newsletters/website – you can find them on our website. If you need other resources, or have any questions, please email us at info@taumataarowai.govt.nz. We’d also love to hear how you’ve shared our campaign with your members.

Social media content

Please share these posts on your social media to encourage campgrounds and campsites to plan for safe drinking water this summer.

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Short post text

For happy campers and a successful peak season, make sure drinking water you provide is safe. The Water Services Authority – Taumata Arowai has practical advice on their website www.taumataarowai.govt.nz/camping.

Longer post text

For happy campers and a successful peak season, make sure drinking water you provide is safe.

The Water Services Authority – Taumata Arowai has advice for campground and campsite operators that includes:

managing risks to your water source
treating water to make it safe to drink
keeping visitors informed
being prepared for emergencies.

Visit www.taumataarowai.govt.nz/camping to find out more.

Video/reels

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Safe drinking water for campers

Images

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Newsletter/website/email content

Summer holidays are an important and busy time of year for campgrounds and campsites. For happy campers and a successful peak season, make sure drinking water you provide is safe.

In September 2025, six people were hospitalised and more than 40 others suffered gastrointestinal illness after drinking contaminated water at a campground in the South Island. The illness was caused by E. coli contamination of the drinking water causing a bacterial infection which can lead to serious complications especially in children under five, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems.

Under campground regulations, operators must provide water that is potable (safe to drink). Any campground or campsite that manages its own drinking water supply has a duty to make sure it’s safe.