Drinking Water

To make sure water is safe for consumption, Council processes and treats all water before it is supplied, and then regularly tests the water to make sure the treatments are working. Council is required to share this information with the Otago Regional Council which issues Resource Consents that permit Clutha District Council’s water activities.

There are two pieces of legislation that control the quality of Council-supplied water, the Health Act 1956 and the Drinking Water Standards 2006 (Revised 2008). These deal with not only water quality, but with monitoring and data collection too. Council is also required to have Water Safety Plans to guide the safe management of supplies and identify any potential risks.

Urban water supplies include Balclutha, Kaitangata, Lawrence, Milton, Owaka and Tapanui. With the exception of Owaka, provide an unrestricted supply of potable water for domestic, commercial and industrial use within each scheme area. 30% of the water produced is for domestic consumption with the balance being largely used for stock water.

Clutha District Council looks after 22 water schemes that supply water to 15 towns and more than 2,000 rural properties, providing water for households and for livestock. Approximately a third of the water we produce is used for domestic consumption, and the rest is largely used for livestock. Visit our Rural Water Schemes page for more information on the schemes throughout our district.

Connection to the Council water supply

When applying for a new water connection, connection upgrade, or to have your water connection relocated, you will need to complete an application form.

A water connection application can also be applied for as part of a building consent.

The application for water connection form allows for:

• residential and commercial connections
• subdivision considerations
• rural restricted supply
• fire service connections.