Wastewater standards
Effective wastewater management is essential for protecting public health and the environment. We're working to help improve system performance by setting clear environmental standards and providing oversight to ensure wastewater is treated safely.
Wastewater is used water from homes, businesses and industry. It can carry harmful contaminants so it must be treated before being released or reused. Good treatment protects people and the environment and allows us to recover valuable resources like biosolids.
As the Water Services Authority, we develop national environmental performance standards for wastewater treatment. Regional councils apply these standards when assessing consent applications from local councils and Crown-owned operators.
Communities also play an important role in shaping wastewater infrastructure through the public consultation process during consent applications and renewals. Our reporting is expanding to include how wastewater standards are being implemented, helping build a clearer picture of the performance of public wastewater networks across the country.
Everyone has a role to play. Proper use of wastewater systems helps protect our waterways. Flush only appropriate items (like toilet paper), keep fats and grease out of sinks, avoid disposing of waste into drains or natural water bodies and report any issues to your local council.
Community, iwi and hapū engagement
While the wastewater standards set the required treatment levels and associated costs, they do not replace the need for consultation. Local councils and wastewater operators will have to continue to engage with communities, including iwi and hapū, on key decisions such as the location of wastewater treatment plants or where treated wastewater is discharged to.
Consenting authorities will still have discretion to set conditions for aspects of wastewater treatment not covered by the new standards. These may include:
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treatment and monitoring for other contaminants; and
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monitoring of the receiving environment, such as upstream and downstream checks or cultural monitoring programmes.
Communities, including iwi and hapū, can influence outcomes beyond the standards. For example, an iwi may request cultural monitoring to assess the presence and condition of local taonga (treasured resources).
Treaty settlement obligations
We have specific Treaty settlement obligations within the Waikato-Waipā, Whanganui and Whangaehu river catchments under the Water Services Authority – Taumata Arowai Act 2020 and the Water Services Act 2021. These relate to the following settlement Acts.
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Treaty settlement Act |
River catchment |
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Waikato-Tainui Raupatu Claims (Waikato River) Settlement Act 2010 |
Waikato - Waipā |
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Ngati Tuwharetoa, Raukawa, and Te Arawa River Iwi Waikato River Act 2010 |
Waikato - Waipā |
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Te Awa Tupua (Whanganui River Claims Settlement) Act 2017 |
Whanganui |
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Ngāti Rangi Claims Settlement Act 2019 |
Whangaehu |
The standards will apply to wastewater treatment plants in these catchments unless inconsistencies are found with the provisions laid out in the Treaty settlement Acts through the consent application process. Where an inconsistency is identified, this must be resolved with the relevant iwi and hapū, network operators and consenting authority. Where standards do not apply due to an inconsistency, these activities will be consented in line with the provisions of the Resource Management Act 1991.
This approach is in line with provisions laid out in the Local Government (Water Services) (Repeals and Amendments) Act 2025 relating to the Waikato-Waipā River catchment. The standards apply a similar approach to ensure that there is consistency in how the Authority upholds our Treaty settlement obligations in the Whanganui and Whangaehu River catchments.