Updates to the Drinking Water Quality Assurance Rules 2026

The new Rules will come into effect on 1 July 2027.

Until then, the existing Drinking Water Quality Assurance Rules 2022 (Revised 2024) remain in effect. This transition period gives suppliers time to understand the changes and prepare for implementation.

• Read the new Water Services (Drinking Water Quality Assurance) Rules 2026 
• Read the current Drinking Water Quality Assurance Rules (these remain in effect until 1 July 2027)

We thank everyone who provided thoughtful and constructive feedback during consultation. We considered the feedback carefully, sought additional technical advice and made a number of changes to the final Rules in response.

View the consultation website outbound

Several themes were raised consistently across submissions, including:

• the need for clearer drafting and more consistent terminology
• ensuring the Rules are practical and workable in day-to-day operations
• allowing enough time for suppliers to prepare before the new Rules come into effect
• the need for guidance and examples to support implementation
• reporting arrangements and how these align with existing supplier processes.

Key themes raised and what changed

Clarity and structure

Many submitters supported the overall direction of the work and asked for clearer drafting, more consistent terminology and a structure that makes obligations easier to find and follow.

In response, we made a range of drafting and presentation refinements across the Rules to improve readability, consistency and usability.

Practical application

Submitters highlighted areas where additional explanation would help suppliers understand how to apply the updated requirements in practice, including how particular Rules work together and what is expected in operational settings.

This feedback has informed our implementation planning. Over the next year, we will release guidance in a phased manner to support suppliers and stakeholders to understand and apply the updated Rules before they come into force.

Transition timing

A strong theme in feedback was the importance of allowing enough time for suppliers to prepare for the updated requirements.

In response, the updated Rules will not come into force until 1 July 2027. This provides time for suppliers to become familiar with the changes, update internal processes where needed and engage with supporting guidance and webinars.

We have also decided to defer introduction of pressure monitoring rules.

Reporting timelines

We heard support for changing the annual reporting cycle so that it aligns with the financial year rather than the calendar year, with suppliers indicating they preferred this option because it better fits with how many already plan, manage and report. As a result, from July 2027, annual reporting under the updated Rules will move to a financial year basis.

To support the transition to the new reporting cycle, there will be an interim process whereby annual reporting against the existing Rules is collected for both of the following reporting periods:

• 2026 – full Rule set
• January to June 2027 – limited Rule set only 

This is intended to support a smoother transition to the new reporting schedule. 

Technical and topic-specific feedback

Submitters also provided detailed comments on particular modules and provisions across the Rules. We considered these comments carefully and, where appropriate, made targeted changes to wording, drafting notes and supporting material.

More detail on the feedback received and how it was considered is available in the summary of submissions and the summary table of key changes.

We’re hosting an online webinar on Wednesday, 1 July to share an overview of the updated Rules, what we heard through consultation, the key changes made and what happens next.

This session is primarily for level 3 suppliers and other interested stakeholders to understand the updated Rules and what they mean in practice. There will also be an opportunity to ask questions.

Webinar details

• When: Wednesday, 1 July, 12pm to 1pm
• Topic: Drinking Water Quality Assurance Rules update webinar
• Register onlineoutbound

After registering, you’ll receive a confirmation email with details on how to join the webinar online.

Over the next year, we will release guidance in a phased manner to support suppliers and stakeholders to prepare for the new Rules before they come into force.