Potable Water
What is potable water in NZ?
The new water service regulator Taumata Arowai enforces the Water Services Act (2021) to ensure everyone in Aotearoa can access safe water. It defines “drinking water” and specifies “safe” and “potable” regarding drinking water.
Therefore, potable water is drinking water that is fit for human consumption. This means it is safe to drink, doesn’t contain any health-threatening substances and consequently complies with the Water Services (Drinking Water Standards for New Zealand) Regulations 2022.
Safe and potable water for everyone
Aqua Works ensures that your water is safe to drink so that your family and your business clients can trust it. Enjoy pure, healthy and tasty water from any tap in your home or workplace.
Potable Water – Let’s get clear about what it is… and not is
Why is it called potable water?
What is non-potable water
It is called potable water because...
Potable water is freshwater with such a high degree of purity that – according to the defined quality requirements – it is classified as suitable for human consumption, especially for drinking and food preparation.
The term “potable” comes from the Latin – Potare: to drink.
Therefore, potable water is defined as any water used for drinking, cooking, and preparing food and beverages. Furthermore, it is used for domestic purposes, like personal hygiene, cleaning objects intended to come into contact with food (glasses, crockery, cutlery), or the human body (clothing, laundry).
However, potable water may only contain substances or organisms in specific quantities for which either no limits have been set, or the limits are not exceeded or undercut. For example, it must not contain pathogenic microorganisms.
Non-potable water is ...
Non-potable water contains unwanted impurities that make it unfit for human consumption. Surface water from rivers, lakes or reservoirs can contain minerals like nitrates, heavy metals or pesticides from farming. Drinking water sourced from rainwater harvesting often contains contaminants, bacteria like E.Coli, viruses, parasites, animal faeces, and chemicals. If the water source is a bore or spring, chemicals and heavy metals like iron or manganese are often present.
Only by professional water treatment, non-potable water receives a water quality that meets the drinking water standards of NZ. A water test will clarify which contaminants are present in the water supply and which technology is most suitable. UV filtration and ozone water treatment purify non-potable water into safe drinking water. This way, you comply with the legal obligations.
How is potable drinking water produced?
Get potable water by ...
Drinking water is a natural product. In New Zealand, it is obtained from various water sources: stormwater, surface water, spring water and groundwater (underground aquifers). Potable drinking water is produced by the professional treatment and purification of the natural water source like rainwater, river water or bore water. However, drinking water must not contain any pathogenic microorganisms, bacteria or viruses, toxic chemicals or faecal matter.
Professional water treatment is essential, especially for health reasons. Non treated water can cause serious gastroinestinal problems like diarrhoea and vomiting. Safe water must be tasteless, odourless and colourless. Above all, it must be free of any pathogens. Therefore, strict and conscientious controls are necessary to guarantee safe and healthy drinking water.
Potable Water & Drinking Water Standards NZ
Safe drinking water for NZ ...
Drinking water standards in New Zealand are guidelines established by Taumata Arowai to ensure that the water supplied is safe for human consumption. These standards set out the maximum levels of contaminants allowed and, therefore, determine whether or not water is potable.
If the contaminants in a water source are below the maximum levels established by the drinking water standards, and the water has been properly treated to remove any harmful substances, then it is considered potable and safe for human consumption.
Safe drinking water by Aqua Works
For us, access to safe drinking water in New Zealand is vital. Therefore, we are passionate about empowering everyone in the entire Rodney District, Matakana Coast, North Shore, Hibiscus Coast and North Auckland to make their water safe and potable.
Aqua Works offers intelligent water treatment solutions for homeowners and local businesses. Our modular product range for residential and commercial applications ensures safe drinking water from every tap. Enjoy the peace of mind of trusted brands and a professional service team at Aqua Works.
Aqua Work designs and installs water treatment systems to improve your water quality immediately by reducing contamination. With our UV water filtration, ozone water treatment, and commercial UV filters, you will manage your water supply effectively inside and outside your home or business.
Ultimately, our water treatment products offer high performance, cost-efficiency and sustainability. Hence, they ensure that you meet the potable water safety regulations with your legal obligations.
Deliver potable water with smart water treatment solutions
Aqua Works offers innovative and efficient products for effective water treatment. This way, we ensure that your water is free of contamination and complies with NZ’s Drinking Water Standards.
Te tikanga o Te Mana o te Wai mo te Aqua Works –
water is the elixir of life and our passion
Exceptional support for our business customers
Aqua Works has over 20 years of experience as a local expert in commercial water treatment for many industries. We offer water solutions supporting you to meet your individual needs and legal requirements. The modularity of our product range helps you to optimise investment costs.
At the same time, it ensures the best purification of your water. We deliver customised water treatment solutions to keep your water safe wherever you need it in your business. Aqua Work’s water filtration systems, UV filter purification, water treatment, ozone systems, and water pumps combine sustainability, high performance and cost-efficiency.
With years of experience and expert advice, our passionate team is here to help you every step of the way to clean and potable drinking water. Our maintenance service guarantees the continuous, reliable operation of the products used. Therefore, we recommend regular maintenance of all water treatment systems to detect possible malfunctions early.
Simultaneously, we eliminate the triggers and avoid costly replacements. And if something should happen spontaneously, call our 24/7 water pump emergency service. We will take care of your problem immediately and make sure that the water in your business is running again as quickly as possible.
At Aqua Works, we go the extra mile to ensure your water is healthy and fit for its purpose. Hence, all our water treatment products are field tried-and-tested, including our new innovative products and solutions. Want to experience our excellent UV filters, water filtration systems and water pumps or our high-quality UV filter service, water pump repairs or water pump service? Give us a call today at 0800 AQUA WORKS.