Solution in sight for decade-long boil water advisory in Kāeo

The Water Services Authority – Taumata Arowai is pleased that a drinking water solution will address longstanding issues with the Kāeo supply.

The Far North District Council has announced the preferred long-term water supply solution for private residential households will be to install water tanks with end-point treatment (cartridge filtration and ultraviolet disinfection).

The five community buildings in Kāeo connected to the current supply will be implementing Acceptable Solutions for end-point treatment. 

Authority Head of Operations, Steve Taylor says the Far North District Council has moved quickly on a practical solution for this community which has been living with an unreliable water supply for too long.

“This is a sensible, cost-effective way to deliver safe drinking water for a smaller community.”

“Acceptable Solutions are a straightforward way to meet drinking water safety standards, and it's good to see this delivered as part of a solution for this community.

“I want to thank the Far North District Council for coming to the table with a solution that will provide safe, reliable drinking water for the people of Kāeo,” says Steve Taylor.

Far North District Council is now implementing the solution, with installation due to be completed before the end of September.

“Given Kāeo has been on a boil water advisory for more than 10 years, it is fantastic to see a light at the end of the tunnel for the community,” adds Steve Taylor.

Background information

The Authority had been working with the Kāeo drinking water supply supplier since early 2025 to try to find immediate and long-term solutions for the community. Kāeo has been on a boil water advisory since before 2016.

After extensive engagement with the supplier, on 22 October 2025 the Authority convened formal discussions between the supplier and Far North District Council to work together on solutions.

Those conversations were unable to resolve immediate supply issues that included the area being without water altogether.

In November 2025, the Authority placed the Kāeo drinking water supply under statutory management and appointed Far North District Council to manage the supply.

The Far North District Council ensured the supply was turned back on as quickly as possible after emergency repairs and has been working with the community since late 2025 on options for a cost-effective, long-term solution.