Mō ngā kaiwhakarato wai,
For water suppliers

The Water Services Act 2021 came into effect on 15 November 2021, apart from a small number of provisions that will commence later (including provisions relating to wastewater, stormwater, and exemptions from the need to use residual disinfection as part of a reticulated drinking water supply).

If you own or operate a water supply (that you know, or ought reasonably to know) is being used as drinking water by people outside of your own home, you are a drinking water supplier and will have responsibilities under the Act.

Water carriers who transport drinking water for consumption are also drinking water suppliers.

The Act doesn’t apply to bottled water that is manufactured and sold by a food business or water that is used for purposes regulated under the Food Act 2014, the Animal Products Act 1999, or the Wine Act 2003. 

Registered supplies

All drinking water supplies that were registered with the Ministry of Health immediately prior to 15 November 2021 have become registered supplies (for the purposes of the Act). Owners and operators of drinking water supplies will have responsibilities to comply with under the new legislation.

View your responsibilities under the Water Services Act 2021.

See the "for drinking water suppliers" section of our frequently asked questions page for more information.

Unregistered supplies

There are many smaller drinking water supplies that did not need to register with the Ministry of Health under the Health Act requirements for drinking water. These supplies will eventually need to be registered under the Water Services Act, however will have time to meet all the compliance requirements.

If you own an unregistered water carrier service, you must register your service by 15 November 2022.

If you own an unregistered drinking water supply, that isn’t a water carrier service, you must register your supply by 15 November 2025, and will have further time to meet all the compliance requirements. The intention is that all drinking water supplies will fully comply with new requirements by November 2028, including the need to provide a drinking water safety plan to Taumata Arowai or alternatively to comply with a drinking water Acceptable Solution.

View your responsibilities under the Water Services Act 2021.

See the section "for unregistered and small drinking water suppliers" on our frequently asked questions page for more information.

The Water Services Act 2021 states that certain decisions made by Taumata Arowai may be reviewed. Find our more here.

A water supplier may apply for an exemption from some of the requirements in the Water Services Act 2021. Find out more here.