Water Services Act (2021)

Implications of NZ Water Services Act

The new law establishes definitions that have an impact on various areas of our lives. For example, it defines the term “drinking water” and the meaning of “safe” regarding drinking water. In addition, it also explains the difference between drinking water suppliers, a drinking water supply, operator and owner.

Furthermore, Part II of the Water Services Act (2021) details the duties involved in providing drinking water supplies. This includes, among other things, the responsibility to provide safe drinking water, to register with the new Drinking Water Regulatory Authority, Taumata Arowai, and to prepare a drinking water safety plan or implement an alternative acceptable solution. But also the prevention of waterborne diseases that are hazardous to health, such as E. Coli or Giardia, are addressed. In addition, the law defines possibilities for water treatment through an end-point treatment device.

Which businesses need to comply with the new Water Services Act 2021

Rural businesses

Self supplying schools

Childcare centre

Kindergarten (Kindy)

Petrol station

Supermarket

Rest homes

Doctors

Dentists clinics 

Surgical practices

Aqua Works is your competent partner for safe drinking water in NZ

At Aqua Works, we have a wealth of knowledge and experience in drinking-water safety. Therefore, we offer professional and commercial water treatment, water purification and UV filter systems. Our passion is to support local businesses that require this expertise to meet their legal obligations under the Water Services (New Zealand’s Drinking Water Standards) Regulations 2022. Most of the time, we work with small water supplies. It includes cafes and restaurants, home-based food businesses, campsites and self-supplying schools, which must now comply with the new water regulations nz. However, before we start, you need to get your water tested. So, we conduct qualified drinking water analyses with a reputable laboratory. This way, you can be sure that the products we recommend are meeting your needs.

Drinking water acceptable solution

The best results are the proposed Drinking Water Acceptable Solutions by Taumata Arowai. These include endpoint off the shelf treatment devices such as UV and filtration/cartridge filter systems of reasonable quality. Additionally, it contains acceptable verification methods relating to rural and agricultural supplies, roof water supplies and supplies from springs and boreholes. Compliance with an acceptable solution or verification method would be at the endpoint treatment (house entry or building entry point). It can only be used as an acceptable solution or verification method under clauses 49 and 50. In the end, you have to ensure that the applied water treatment technology is competent to operate the acceptable solution. 

Drinking Water Safety Plan

A drinking water safety plan describes the concept of drinking water quality management from water extraction and treatment to the provision of drinking water at the tap. Finally, the aim is to prevent negative changes to drinking water on its way through the individual processes by means of preventive risk assessments and to ensure high quality. As soon as drinking water quality is at risk, immediate measures must be taken. If a small drinking water supplier serves 500 or more consumers on at least 60 days per year, the supplier must submit a water safety plan within one year of the date of commencement of operations. In all other cases, the supplier must comply with this duty within five years of the date of commencement of operations.

Call our experts about the Water Services Act 2020 and the implications for your business

If you have questions about the new regulation, please call and talk to our experts at 0800 Aqua Works. We have considerable experience in drinking water treatment, wastewater, and stormwater. Our team will help you to understand the requirements for private drinking water sources and small water supplies. Steve and Shane are currently preparing local communities and small businesses for the upcoming changes. Most importantly, we will support you to meet your new legal obligation. At Aqua Works, we are with you every step on the way to comply with the Water Services Act 2021 and the Drinking Water Standards of New Zealand (2022). Hence, we will ensure that your water is potable and safe to drink from any tap in your business.

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.