Compliance mechanisms
A glossary of key terms relating to the mechanisms for ensuring our water is safe to drink.
Acceptable Solution
An Acceptable Solution is a pre-approved design or set of instructions that can be used to demonstrate compliance with particular sections of the Water Services Act 2021.
An Acceptable Solution can be used by some (mostly smaller) drinking water suppliers to meet their legal obligation to supply safe drinking water.
If a supplier chooses to use an Acceptable Solution, they do not need to prepare a drinking water safety plan or follow the Drinking Water Quality Assurance Rules.
Boil water advisory
A boil water advisory is information provided to consumers about the need to boil water before drinking it. Boil water notices are issued when there is microbiological contamination of the water. When a drinking water supplier issues a boil water advisory, all water for drinking, preparing food and infant formula and brushing teeth must be boiled before use. Water that is used for other purposes such as laundry or showering does not need to be boiled.
If for any reason it is impractical or impossible to boil water, bottled water, purification tablets or bleach can be used. The bleach must be plain, unscented bleach with no additives. These additives can make you sick when you drink it. If the product label is unclear and there are additives in the bleach, do not use the bleach.
To purify water using bleach, add ½ teaspoon of bleach to 10 litres of water, stir and then let sit for 30 minutes.
Do not drink advisory
A do not drink advisory is information provided to consumers advising that the water supplied to them is not safe to drink. These are normally issued when there is chemical contamination of the water at a level which could be an immediate risk to health.
When a drinking water supplier issues a do not drink advisory, people should not use the water from their taps for drinking, preparing food or infant formula or brushing teeth.
Drinking water suppliers will either provide bottled or an alternate supply such as tankered water. Tap water can be used for other purposes such as laundry or showering.
Do not use advisory
A do not use advisory is information provided to consumers advising that their tap water is not suitable for use for any purpose.
Do not use advisories are rare but can be issued if there is a chemical or toxin in the water at a level that is unsafe to drink and may cause health effects in other ways, e.g. if it touches the skin or eyes or is breathed in.
Drinking Water Quality Assurance Rules
Drinking Water Quality Assurance Rules (the Rules) are made by the Water Services Authority – Taumata Arowai and set out the minimum requirements for treatment, monitoring and reporting that drinking water suppliers must meet. Suppliers may need to undertake additional treatment or monitoring if they identify specific risks or hazards within their supplies.
Water suppliers who are using an Acceptable Solution do not have to follow the Rules.
Drinking water safety plan
A drinking water safety plan (DWSP) is a requirement for all registered drinking water suppliers in New Zealand under the Water Services Act 2021, unless an Acceptable Solution has been adopted or the supply serves 25 people or less. A DWSP is about managing the risks to the water from the source to the tap. A DWSP records all the risks and dangers in a water supply and how these risks are being managed or controlled.
Registered drinking water suppliers must submit their DWSP to the Water Services Authority – Taumata Arowai via our online self-service portal Hinekōrako.