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Taumata Arowai is monitoring efforts to reduce water shortage risk in Wellington metro area

07 May 2024

Taumata Arowai, New Zealand’s water services regulator, will actively monitor the efforts of Wellington Water and its council owners to reduce the likelihood of acute water shortages next summer.

Head of Regulatory Steve Taylor says early and sustained action is key.

“We all share the same goal: ensuring the community has enough water to meet households’ basic needs and that public health is not put at risk. It’s essential that appropriate, incremental actions are taken over the next six to eight months to support this.”

This follows Wellington, Hutt Valley, and Porirua communities facing water shortages last summer.

Wellington Water and its council owners have determined the actions they plan to take to reduce the risk of water shortages to an acceptable level next summer.

“They know their drinking water network, community priorities and funding best. So they’ll determine what actions are required to ensure people continue to have enough safe water to drink and to meet their basic hygiene needs,” says Mr Taylor.

“Our role is to monitor that progress is being made on behalf of the public and be ready to step in if needed.”

Taumata Arowai confirmed the information it requires to monitor progress in a letter sent to Wellington Water last week.

This involves Wellington Water reporting on leak reduction across the cities, and key milestones for Te Mārua Drinking Water Treatment Plant coming onstream so that it can produce more water.

Even with the actions planned, there remains a risk of water shortages next summer and water restrictions being put in place.  

“The Wellington metropolitan area is still likely to experience moderate water restrictions next summer. Restrictions are used commonly around the country over the dryer summer months to help ensure that people continue to have enough water for their basic drinking and hygiene needs,” says Mr Taylor.

“So, it will remain important for Wellington, Hutt Valley, and Porirua communities to keep using water responsibly and follow any restrictions.”

Taumata Arowai also acknowledges the need for Wellington Water and its council owners to consider both short- and long-term solutions to the issue.

“We recognise that short-term actions to reduce the risk of water shortages impacting public health next summer must be considered alongside longer-term investments to renew and replace the ageing network over time,” says Mr Taylor.

Taumata Arowai, Wellington Water and its council owners have been in regular dialogue since the risk of water shortages arose last November when Wellington Water first alerted the regulator to the problem.

“We have continued to monitor the situation since then and acknowledge that Wellington Water did the right thing by contacting us early about the situation and has kept the lines of communication open since.” says Mr Taylor.

Media contact

Email: media@taumataarowai.govt.nz

Mobile: 021 227 5164

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