Consultation opens on proposed changes to Drinking Water Quality Assurance Rules

The Water Services Authority – Taumata Arowai is inviting feedback on proposed changes to the Drinking Water Quality Assurance Rules (the Rules).

The proposed changes aim to make compliance clearer and easier to follow for drinking water suppliers, while maintaining strong protections for public health. They are the next step in the Authority’s ongoing efforts to make it easier for suppliers to understand and meet their legal responsibilities.

The consultation covers two key proposals:

• A change to the annual reporting timeframe for all suppliers – shifting from calendar year to financial year reporting, starting from 1 July 2027.
• Updates to the Rules for large supplies (those serving 501 or more people) focused on making the Rules clearer and easier to follow.

Suppliers serving 500 or fewer people only need to provide feedback on the proposed change to the annual reporting timeframe. Suppliers serving 501 or more people are asked to provide feedback on both proposals.

“These proposed changes continue our focus on taking a pragmatic, risk-based approach to regulation – one that supports safe drinking water for everyone in New Zealand, while making compliance more straightforward for suppliers,” said Sara McFall, Head of Systems, Strategy and Performance.

The consultation is open for six weeks and closes at 5pm on Friday, 19 December 2025.

Suppliers and interested stakeholders can find out more, read the discussion documents, and complete an online survey at: https://korero.taumataarowai.govt.nz/regulatory/rules-review-large-suppliesoutbound

Two online drop-in sessions will be held in early December for those wanting an opportunity to ask any questions they may have about the proposed changes. The dates and registration links are below:

Monday, 1 December 12 - 1pm – Register hereoutbound

Thursday, 4 December, 12 - 1pm – Register hereoutbound

If you have any questions, please email us at korero@taumataarowai.govt.nz.