Action plan sets out path towards safe drinking water
The Compliance, Monitoring and Enforcement Strategy 2025-28 released today makes clear the next steps towards safe drinking water
The Water Services Authority – Taumata Arowai (the Authority) works to make sure everyone in New Zealand has safe drinking water when they turn on the tap. The Authority’s Compliance, Monitoring and Enforcement Strategy 2025-28 (CME strategy) released today makes clear the next steps that drinking water suppliers must take toward achieving that vision.
Head of Operations Steve Taylor says the CME strategy sets out a three-year action plan for safer drinking water.
“Last week, we published the Drinking Water Regulation Report 2024 (DWRR 2024) which is based on supplier data about the safety and sufficiency of the water they supply.
“It shines a light on the current mixed state of drinking water in New Zealand. It’s clear that while some progress has been made and most people’s drinking water is safe, some people in New Zealand still face an unacceptable risk of illness from their drinking water.
“The CME strategy responds by setting out what we expect drinking water suppliers to do over the next three years to address the most significant risks to public health from the drinking water they supply. It focuses on suppliers improving their systems, practices and infrastructure so that the basics of safe drinking water are in place. That includes monitoring for harmful contaminants (e.g. bacteria and chemicals), effectively treating the water and taking urgent action to fix issues that could put people’s health at risk.
“The approach outlined in the CME strategy also sets detailed expectations for three priority groups of suppliers – council suppliers, central government and commercial suppliers, and community suppliers – to meet each year from now until 2028.
“Our expectations are tailored to reflect the different scale, complexity and risks of the supplies in each group.”
Mr Taylor emphasised the Authority’s desire to see a significant step-change in drinking water safety.
“We will take action to protect public health when suppliers are not meeting our expectations.”
He said that one of the key areas for improvement identified in the DWRR 2024 was the unacceptable levels of faecal contamination at many rural self-supplied schools. “We have produced a dedicated sector plan for these schools aimed at improving the drinking water safety practices of those who manage these supplies.
“We will continue to monitor the Ministry of Education’s progress and work alongside self-supplied schools as they undertake a programme of critical drinking water safety improvements over the next 12 months.
“In three years’ time as the CME strategy is implemented, we expect to see meaningful progress made by suppliers to address key risks, and more people across New Zealand having safe water to drink each day,” he said.
More information: