Drinking Water Standards Upgrades Project

• Project typeInfrastructure

Photo: Hāhei Water Treatment Plant.

Our Drinking Water Standards Upgrades Project -Tautiaki Wai Māori - is upgrading water treatment plants across the district to help ensure safe, reliable drinking water for our communities and compliance with today’s drinking water requirements.

Why we’re upgrading our water treatment plants

A Government inquiry into the 2016 Havelock North gastro outbreak, which was linked to four deaths, called for major improvements to drinking water supplies including mandatory treatment. In response, we’re upgrading our treatment plants with modern filtration and treatment systems to strengthen water safety across the district.

Completed upgrades

Upgrades have been completed at Onemana, Tairua, Pāuanui, Whitianga, Coromandel, Hāhei, and Whangamatā, including the Beverley Hills, Wentworth Valley and Moana Anu Anu plants. The Matarangi plant was also completed in March 2026.

What’s next?

An additional water treatment plant will be built in the Puriri area. It is expected to be completed in the 2027/28 financial year.

Modern treatment technology

The upgraded plants are fitted with the latest treatment technology, including membrane units, new filtration systems, dosing equipment and advanced monitoring tools. These improvements support more consistent treatment performance and stronger water quality oversight.

Meeting drinking water standards

These upgrades are designed to ensure our drinking water quality complies with the current Drinking Water Quality Assurance Rules 2022.