Network environmental performance measures
Monitoring and reporting requirements for network operators on the environment performance of drinking water, wastewater and stormwater networks.
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.
It’s about protecting the health of wai, tāngata and the taiao.
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. Our first report has been published.
Reporting for 2024/25 year
The guidance below was published last year and includes drinking water and new wastewater measures that you need to provide data on by 30 September 2024. Here is a summary of the measures in the guide.
We are currently updating this guidance with some technical clarifications, this will be published by the time the reporting window opens.
This includes:
- existing drinking water measures, which you need to report on for the year ending 30 June 2025
- existing ‘static’ wastewater measures and new 'continuous' wastewater measures which you need to report on as at 30 June 2025
A new reporting template will be available here by 1 July 2025.
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.
Network Environmental Performance Measures and Guide 2024
This guide includes measures and definitions which apply to the reporting period between 1 July 2024 and 30 June 2025.
Webinars
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 24 June, 11am – 12pm. Register hereoutbound
- Tuesday 29 July, 2.30pm – 3.30pm. Register hereoutbound
- Tuesday 16 September, 10am – 11am. Register hereoutbound.
Stormwater measures
Currently, there are no mandatory requirements to report on the performance of stormwater networks.