Water Supply for Commercial New Builds
Tanks, pumps, treatment and the paperwork.
Designed to comply from day one.
Get the water right at the design stage
A new commercial building on its own water supply has to supply safe drinking water from the day it opens. The tanks, pumps and treatment need room, power and drainage, so they’re far easier to get right on the drawings than after the slab is poured.
We design and install complete water systems for new commercial buildings across Rodney and North Auckland, from Mangawhai to Albany. We work with your architect, engineer and builder, and hand over a system that’s tested, documented and ready to register.
One local team, from design to servicing.
Who we work with
Tap a card to find out more.
Architects and engineers
System designs, data sheets and UV validation certificates for your specification.
Builders and main contractors
A clear price for the water package, worked to your programme alongside the other trades.
Developers and project managers
One local team and one point of contact for the whole water system.
Schools and ECE centres
New schools and ECE centres on rainwater or bore water.
Cafés, wineries and hospitality
Safe water for food, drink and handwashing from opening day.
Rainwater tank farms
Roof collection, rows of large tanks and a tanker fill point.
What we design and install
Every system starts with your water source, the number of people using the building and a full water test. We design the rest around them.
Water source and storage
Rainwater from the roof, a bore, or both. We size the tanks from the number of people and the roof area, and plan the tank farm, the overflows and a tanker fill point.
Pumps
Duty and standby pumps, so the water keeps running if one pump fails, sized to the building’s peak flow.
Treatment
Designed to your water test: cartridge filtration, then UV disinfection, with softening, pH correction or reverse osmosis where the water needs it. Sites open to the public get a validated UV system.
Backflow and monitoring
Testable backflow prevention to protect the supply, and tank level gauges and alarms so you know how much water you have.
Commissioning and handover
We sterilise the system and test the water before anyone drinks it, then hand over the documents and a service plan.
What you get at handover
A system design and layout.
Product data sheets.
UV validation certificates.
Water test results.
Commissioning records.
A producer statement (PS3).
An operating and maintenance manual.
Registration with Taumata Arowai.
A service plan.
Bring us in early
- A plant room or pump shed with power, light and a drain.
- A level site for the tanks, close to the plant room.
- Somewhere for filter backwash and treatment waste water to go.
- Roof and downpipe layouts for rainwater collection.
What we need from you
- The plans, or a concept design.
- How many people will use the building each day.
- The water source: roof area, bore details or a water test.
- Your programme, and who’s doing what on site.
Talk to us before the plans are final.
Local Jobs – Local Trust – Local Experts
A recent commercial water plant
From a new commercial development in Mangawhai.
Pumps and filters: twin pumps, self-cleaning pre-filters and jumbo cartridge filters, laid out so they’re easy to service.
UV: two VIQUA UV systems side by side, so there’s enough capacity for the building’s peak flow.
Tank farm: rainwater from the roofs feeds a row of 30,000 litre tanks, joined so they fill and draw evenly.
Design first, then build
We can design your water system as its own stage, so your architect and engineer have what they need for consent and pricing. When you go ahead, we install what we designed, so nothing gets lost between the drawings and the site.
You deal with one local team for the design, the install, the paperwork and the servicing afterwards.
What the rules ask for in a new building
- Safe from day one. Drinking water supplies set up since November 2021 must meet the rules from the day they start. See drinking water suppliers.
- Potable where it counts. The Building Code requires potable water for drinking, preparing food, washing dishes and brushing teeth. Toilets can use non-potable water.
- A ready-made pathway. The Acceptable Solution for self-supplied buildings covers up to 500 people and up to 10 buildings with the same owner, with one central treatment system.
- Fine filtration and UV. Under the Acceptable Solution, water is filtered to 5 microns or finer, then treated with UV at a dose of at least 40 mJ/cm². Schools, cafés and other sites open to the public need a validated UV system.
- Backflow prevention. The supply must be protected from backflow, and testable devices need regular testing.
- Register the supply. The supply is registered with Taumata Arowai. We can do this for you, or write a water safety plan if your supply needs one.
Food businesses also need to meet MPI’s water rules. We’ll explain what applies to your building at the design stage. See NZ drinking water regulations.
Working with your team
We work to your programme and alongside your builder, electrician and drainlayer. Our certifying plumbers install the system, and we coordinate the tank farm, the plant room and the supply main with the other trades.
Pricing a tender? Send us the drawings and the scope. We’ll price the water package and list clearly what’s included, what isn’t and what we’ve assumed.
A new development in Mangawhai
For a new commercial development in Mangawhai, we designed and installed the whole water system: a row of 30,000 litre tanks fed from the roofs, twin pumps, self-cleaning pre-filters, jumbo cartridge filters, two UV systems and a digital tank gauge, all in a purpose-built pump shed.
The units share one central treatment plant, so there’s one system to look after instead of one in every unit.
How a new build works
Four steps from drawings to safe water.
1
Plans and site visit
We look at your drawings, the site and the water source.
2
Design and price
A system design and a clear price, with what’s included and what isn’t.
3
Install and commission
We install to your programme, then sterilise the system and test the water.
4
Handover and register
Documents, registration and a service plan, ready for opening day.
Commercial water specialists
We’ve designed, installed and serviced water treatment across Rodney and North Auckland since 2000, from our base in Warkworth.
- Rainwater tank farms, bores and pump sheds.
- Validated UV, filtration, softening and reverse osmosis.
- Members of Master Plumbers.
- Clear quotes with clear exclusions.
After handover
We can look after the system for you, from monthly checks to one annual service. See commercial water treatment servicing.
Commercial new build FAQs
When should we involve you in a new build?
As early as you can, ideally at concept or developed design. The tanks, plant room, power and drainage are much easier to plan on the drawings than to fit in later.
Can you price from tender drawings?
Yes. Send us the drawings and the scope. We’ll price the water package and list what’s included, what isn’t and what we’ve assumed, so you can compare prices like for like.
How do you size the tanks?
From the number of people, how they use the building, and the roof area and rainfall. We allow enough storage to get through dry spells, and a tanker fill point for emergencies.
Rainwater or bore water?
Rainwater is usually the simplest to treat to drinking water standard. Bore water can need a lot more treatment, so we test it before we recommend it. Some sites use rainwater for drinking and bore water for toilets.
Do we need a plant room?
The pumps, filters and UV need a dry, lockable space with power, light and a drain. That can be a room in the building or a pump shed beside the tanks.
What treatment does a commercial building need?
It depends on the water test and the number of people. Most rainwater systems need cartridge filtration and UV, and sites open to the public need a validated UV system. Bore water may also need softening, pH correction or reverse osmosis.
Can you register the supply and write the water safety plan?
Yes. We can register the supply with Taumata Arowai, set it up under an Acceptable Solution where it fits, or write a drinking water safety plan. See our water safety plan service.
What documents do we get at handover?
A system layout, product data sheets, UV validation certificates, water test results, commissioning records, a producer statement and an operating and maintenance manual, plus a service plan.
Do you work with our builder and other trades?
Yes. We work to the main contractor’s programme and coordinate with the builder, electrician and drainlayer on site.
Who looks after the system once it’s built?
We can. We offer servicing from monthly visits to one annual service. See commercial water treatment servicing.
What areas do you cover?
Rodney and North Auckland, from Mangawhai to Albany, including Warkworth, Matakana, Wellsford, Orewa and the Hibiscus Coast. For larger projects further away, give us a call.
Don’t just take our word for it…
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“From initial consultation to the completion of the job, Aqua works were incredibly professional. The job was completed on time and in budget. … Steve was incredibly well organised, managing the subcontractors (water delivery etc) so that the job ran seamlessly …”
Blair Russell, 2026
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“We received great service from the Aqua Works team on a large property drainage project. Throughout the entire process, Steve and his team were quick to respond and always very helpful, friendly, and reassuring. …”
Sarah Holmes, 2026
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“once again great service, excellent communication thanks heaps ITSS Engineering”
Jules Palmer, ITSS Engineering, 2025
Planning a new commercial building?
Send us the plans and we’ll help you get the water right from the start.