Latest fromWater Supply, Sewerage and Drainage Services

‘Third World’: Northland town water restrictions spark concerns
Rainfall in February was less than 10% of the expected amount in Dargaville.

Hawke’s Bay Regional Council wants $225m water storage facility on Ngāruroro River tributary
The cost of the feasibility study will be about $3.2m, shared by HBRC and the Government.

Short showers, limit sprinklers: Auckland on drought alert, water saving encouraged
The region's dams are lower than normal, prompting Watercare to activate plans.

‘Everyone expects better’: Water probe reveals serious failings
Wellington Water needs $37.5m to fix outdated IT systems over three years.

‘Really bad’: Water woes threaten tourism in Far North
Threatened Level 4 restrictions would limit water use to essentials like cooking.

‘Taste and smell issues’: Town water trucked in twice weekly
The tap water in Marton is adversely affected by bacteria and fungi in the local soil.

Sweetwater Aquifer getting water into Kaitāia homes soon – council
After two false starts, water from Sweetwater Aquifer is set to flow into Kaitāia homes.

Highest CEO payout triggered by change in Government: $532,500
Water services boss Jon Lamonte pocketed a half-million-dollar payout when Govt changed.

'Pathetic' sewerage system poorly designed from the start: Drainlayer
Coastal residents despair as sewage continues to spill into picturesque bay.

Sinkhole opens in wealthy Auckland street
It's believed a chasm of up to 2sq m lies underneath the ruptured road.

Fluoride-free water option 'waste of time', campaigner says
Tauranga City Council is still undecided about providing a fluoride-free water supply.

'Nothing more for ratepayer': Councillor slams water infrastructure plan
Gisborne debates water options: Lower short-term costs vs long-term savings.

'Culturally unacceptable': Wairoa fights to ban blood, mortuary waste in waterways
Mayor says new system will be costly but blood, mortuary waste should not go in the river.

'Everyone's had a guts-full': Dargaville residents rail against water rules
Residents blame Kaipara District Council inaction on water supply for summer restrictions.

Gisborne unveils water filter unit especially designed for the isolated region
The portable water unit can supply fresh water in mass during severe weather events.

City considers installing fluoride-free water tap at the border
Supplying unfluoridated water to Tauranga locals will be discussed at a meeting on Monday.

‘At this rate, we will reach capacity’: Water-restriction head-scratcher in Napier and Hastings
'We have a culture of believing the aquifer is limitless,' Napier Mayor Kirsten Wise says.

Kaitāia’s Sweetwaters Aquifer project held up by abatement notice
The Environmental Protection Agency stops work on the Far North water supply project.

Steve Taylor on the increased levels of arsenic reported in the Waikato River
Water Services Authority head of operations Steve Taylor speaks about the reports of increased levels of arsenic in the Waikato River which feeds into water supplies.

Urgent testing under way after elevated levels of arsenic found in Akl's water supply
Arsenic is a substance found in rock that can be deadly if consumed in large amounts.

'Grabbing his shotgun': Council granted injunction after threats, abuse reported
Local Democracy Reporting obtained the decision through the court.