Rules, Standards and Aesthetic Values
The Water Services Authority - Taumata Arowai helps to develop Drinking Water Standards and is responsible for making Drinking Water Quality Assurance Rules, Aesthetic Values and Acceptable Solutions.
Collectively, the Rules, Standards and Aesthetic Values set minimum requirements for drinking water suppliers and help ensure communities receive safe drinking water.
Drinking Water Quality Assurance Rules
The Drinking Water Quality Assurance Rules (Rules) set out how drinking water suppliers must comply with key parts of the Drinking Water Standards and the Water Services Act 2021outbound.
Changes to the Drinking Water Quality Assurance Rules
Changes have been made to the Rules for supplies that serve 500 or fewer people, following consultation with the sector.
The revised Rules clarify monitoring and reporting requirements for very small communities, and small and medium supplies operating under level 1 and level 2 Rules. The revised Rules came into effect on 1 January 2025.
Our work on the Rules is ongoing and we are preparing to consult with the sector on the Rules for large supplies later in 2025.
Guidance on the Drinking Water Quality Assurance Rules
We have developed supporting information to help suppliers understand what the changes mean for them.
We have created guidance for very small communities as well as small and medium suppliers to address the relevant rules and common issues and risks they might face.
If you need to view the previous Rules, they are available on our legislation and regulations page.
Drinking Water Standards
Drinking Water Standardsoutbound set the Maximum Acceptable Values (MAVs) for a range of substances which can affect the safety and quality of drinking water. The MAVs are based on guideline values set by the World Health Organisation (WHO).
Aesthetic Values for Drinking Water
Drinking water not only needs to be safe, but it also needs to look, taste and smell acceptable too. Aesthetic Values for Drinking Water specify or provide minimum or maximum values for substances and other characteristics that relate to the acceptability of drinking water.