Network environmental performance measures

The Water Services Act 2021outbound has mandatory requirements for certain public network operators to monitor and report on the environmental performance of their drinking water, wastewater and stormwater networks. 

These requirements only apply to: 

• networks operated by local councils or council-controlled organisations 
• government departments such as Department of Conservation, Ministry of Education, Corrections and the New Zealand Defence Force 
• people who operate a network on their behalf. 

The goal of monitoring and reporting is to provide transparency to the public and the sector about the performance of these networks and their operators.  

Robust data collection and reporting is key to providing a clear, detailed picture of our networks. It supports the ability of operators to effectively manage their networks and build a system that delivers safe drinking water and minimises potential impacts on the environment and public health. This reporting will contribute to the continuous improvement of the quality of water services across Aotearoa New Zealand. 

Network environmental performance measures 

These measures cover a range of topics, such as: 

• resource consents, rates of water-take from source water and discharges from water treatment plants 
• environmental discharges, overflows and by-products from water and wastewater treatment 
• condition of equipment, reliability and recovery of services including water security and emergency preparedness 
• water losses and water restrictions  
• reasons for faults and time taken to respond and repair them 
• energy use of treatment plants 
• disposal of biosolids  
• high-level information on operating costs and capital expenditure for upgrades. 

Network environmental performance report 

The data we receive on performance measures will be summarised in an annual network environmental performance report and published on our website. The report may also contain examples of best practice, specific risks or concerns that relate to network performance or practices, and insights on how different networks across the country are performing.  

Each annual report will cover the period from 1 July to 30 June in the following year. We have published NEPR reports for 2022/23 and 2023/24. 

Reporting for 2024/25 year 

We have updated the guidance for reporting for 2024/25 and 2025/26 with some minor changes to the measures and technical clarifications.   

Please use the new guide for the reporting period between 1 July 2024 and 30 June 2025. Changes include units of measurement reporting is being requested at a network level rather than at an organisational level, and some additional data that will provide for more valuable insights (for example, the collection of volume of exceedance in relation to a water take consent).   

We have published a summary of changes and a table which maps the old reference codes to the new reference codes.  

Network operators need to complete the reporting template and send it to us at measures@taumataarowai.govt.nz by 30 September 2025.  

If you have any questions, you can also contact us at measures@taumataarowai.govt.nz.  

Please complete the NEPM Data Collection Template 2025 by 30 September 2025 - Note this template was updated on 11 June 2025. Please ensure you are using the correct version. 

Support for network operators

We are holding the following webinars, where there will be a chance to discuss any specific reporting issues or areas you need help with.

• Tuesday 29 July, 2.30pm – 3.30pm. Register hereoutbound
• Tuesday 16 September, 10am – 11am. Register hereoutbound

Past webinars

• Tuesday 24 June, 11am – 12pm. 
  • View a recordingoutbound
  • View the slides

If you have any specific questions relating to your reporting obligations, please contact us at measures@taumataarowai.govt.nz. 

Stormwater measures 

Currently, there are no mandatory requirements to report on the performance of stormwater networks.

Reporting for 2025/26 year 

Please use the new guide for collecting data for the next reporting period - between 1 July 2025 and 30 June 2026.