Wastewater measures
Certain public network operators must monitor and report on the environmental performance of their wastewater networks.
Transparency for the public and wastewater sector
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.
Each year this data is analysed and reported, contributing to the continuous improvement of the quality of water services across New Zealand.
The findings from this data are published annually in the Network Environmental Performance Report.
Development of measures
Network operators are required to report on a range of environmental performance measures to understand how wastewater networks are performing. These measures were finalised by the Authority, following consultation with the sector, in late 2022 and have evolved with each reporting cycle.
The measures require operators to collect and report information to understand how wastewater networks are performing against five outcomes:
- environmental and public health is protected
- services are reliable
- resources are used efficiently
- services are resilient
- services are economically sustainable.
Current wastewater measures include:
- resource consents, receiving environments and discharges from water treatment plants
- environmental discharges, overflows and by-products from water and wastewater treatment
- disposal of biosolids.
Following the introduction of wastewater standards, we are refining existing measures to better assess compliance and effectiveness. We expect new measures will come into force from 1 July 2027, following consultation with the sector about any new measures. Data provided by operators will be used to update the register of public wastewater networks.
Further information about measures and reporting is available here or by contacting us at measures@taumataarowai.govt.nz.