Water supplies that are not properly treated can contain germs that cause serious illnesses.
Taumata Arowai, the central government water regulator, are responsible for the regulation of drinking water in New Zealand.
In the Auckland region ARPHS and Taumata Arowai work together in a co-operative and collaborative manner to carry out our public health and drinking water responsibilities.
If you get your water from a water tank, bore or stream, it is the responsibility of the owner of the property to ensure the water supply meets certain requirements. This includes requirements under the Building Act.
Water supplies that are not properly treated can contain germs that cause serious illnesses. These include giardia and cryptosporidium, salmonella, campylobacter and a form of E. coli called STEC or VTEC.
These micro-organisms come directly or indirectly from animal or human faeces. It may only take a tiny amount to put the water supply at risk. For this reason, drinking water is usually treated.
Much of New Zealand’s drinking water has chlorine added that kills bacteria, viruses and other organisms and makes the water safe to drink.
Visit the Ministry of Health for advice on drinking water in an emergency.
The Ministry of Education requires schools to have an adequate supply of safe drinking water available.
Self-supplying schools and early childhood education centres (ECECs) must be registered with the Ministry of Health.
In the Auckland region reviews of the water quality at schools and ECEs are carried out by Auckland Council. Water supplies continue to be subject to the provisions of the Building Act and the Health Act.
ARPHS works with Auckland Council if there are any outbreaks of gastroenteritis or other illness which could be linked to a school or ECEC’s water supply.
If you would like to discuss your school drinking water compliance in more detail then please contact Auckland Council on (09) 301 0101.
ARPHS public health responsibilities, to promote and protect public health, exist alongside the responsibilities of Taumata Arowai for the drinking water regulatory system. We have a commitment to work together in a co-operative and collaborative manner to carry out our public health and drinking water responsibilities.
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For the public
Last updated 24.11.2022