Proposed changes to the Drinking Water Quality Assurance Rules for supplies serving 501 or more people

• A summary list spreadsheet – Sets out for those involved in preparing compliance reports, how the existing rules map to the proposed Rules. 
• How the Rules work – Modified introduction section from the existing Rules that explains how the Rules work with some small changes to accommodate some differences in approach. 
• Change tables for each section of the Rules – These tables set out, for each section of the Rules modules, the original rule, information or footnote from the current Rules with the proposed revised rule, and an explanation for why we propose making a change and an indication of any cost implications. 

1. What is this consultation about? 

The Water Services Authority – Taumata Arowai is seeking feedback on proposed changes to the Drinking Water Quality Assurance Rules (the Rules). These include a change to the annual reporting timeframe for all supplies, and updates to the Rules for supplies that serve 501 or more people. 

2. Why are changes being proposed now? 

We’ve been working over the past 18 months to make it easier for suppliers to understand and meet their legal responsibilities. This consultation continues these efforts, focusing on clarity, consistency and reducing unnecessary reporting. 

3. Who should provide feedback? 

All drinking water suppliers are encouraged to have their say. 

• Those with water supplies serving 500 or fewer people only need to provide feedback on the proposed change to the annual reporting timeframe. 
• Those with water supplies serving 501 or more people can provide feedback on both the reporting timeframe and the proposed Rule updates for large supplies. 

4. What is the proposed change to the annual reporting timeframe? 

We’re proposing to shift from calendar year reporting to financial year reporting, starting from 1 July 2027. This is intended to align reporting with most suppliers’ financial and planning cycles and reduce duplication of effort. 

5. What are the proposed changes for large supplies? 

The proposed changes aim to make the Rules clearer and easier to follow. 

• Separate legal requirements from “how to” guidance. 
• Clarify reporting requirements. 
• Clarify chemical treatment and monitoring requirements. 
• Improve formatting and wording for ease of use. 
• Match treatment levels to the level of source water risk, based on the ‘class’ of source water you collect to treat. 
• Establish clear, consistent approaches to give suppliers certainty about what’s expected and make it more straightforward to meet requirements. 
• Remove treatment rules for treatment processes that are not being used.  
• Make the requirement to add chlorine for residual disinfection purposes into a specific rule. 
• Require suppliers to promptly identify loss of pressure in distribution zones.  

6. How will these changes affect small suppliers? 

For suppliers serving 500 or fewer people, other than the proposed change in the shift in reporting timeframe, there are no significant technical or operational changes proposed.  

7. How will these changes affect large suppliers? 

Large suppliers may see improvements in clarity and usability of the Rules. Some requirements are being streamlined or made more specific but overall the proposals are designed to reduce uncertainty, simplify compliance, and maintain public health protections. We anticipate that suppliers that currently comply with the Rules will comply with the proposed new Rules.  

8. How will the feedback be used? 

All feedback received will be reviewed and considered before final decisions are made. Your input will help ensure that the final Rules are practical, proportionate to risk and effective in protecting public health. 

9. When does consultation close? 

Consultation is for six weeks and closes at 5pm on 19 December 2025. 

10. How can I provide feedback? 

You can complete our short online survey – it’s quick to use, and you don’t need to answer every question to contribute. 

11. Where can I find more information? 

You can: 

• read the consultation documents, including the updated Rules, discussion document, and change tables 
• attend an online Q&A session in early December 
• email us at korero@taumataarowai.govt.nz with your questions. 

12. When will final decisions be made? 

Final decisions will be made after consultation closes and feedback has been analysed. Updates will be shared on our website once available.