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Alert

Holiday hours

Council offices will be closed from noon on Tuesday, December 24, 2024, until 9am on Wednesday, January 8, 2025. If you need to get in touch with us, you can still access some services online or call us on 0800 924 723. Click here for more information.

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Water treatment and supply

Are you experiencing discoloured water?

Find out what you need to do.

Find out more

Water supply

We extract 26,410 cubic metres of water every day from source. Then it’s treated and supplied to Cambridge, Karāpiro, Kihikihi, Ohaupo, Pirongia, Pukerimu, Te Awamutu and selected rural areas through one of our four water schemes.

Waipā water schemes

  • Cambridge Water Supply Scheme sources water from the Waikato River.
  • The Kihikihi Water Supply Scheme sources water from two bores, one at Hall Street and the other at Church Street, this scheme is also interconnected with the Te Awamutu scheme fed from the Waikato River.
  • The Pukerimu Water Supply Scheme sources water from the Waikato River.
  • The Te Awamutu Water Supply Scheme sources water from the Mangauika Stream on Mt Pirongia, from a bore on Frontier Road and from the Waikato River.

Water supply interruptions

From time to time, you may experience interruptions to your water supply. This will can be caused by work on the water network in your area, planned or unplanned water shutdowns. Pressure changes in the water caused by shutting water off temporarily to fix or replace a water pipe, creates a suction, and draws air in or dislodges minerals in the water mains.

Here are some common experiences and what you can do.

Cloudy water

Cloudy water, also known as white water, is caused by air bubbles in the water and it is completely harmless. To check if the water is cloudy due to air bubbles, fill a glass with cold water and allow it to stand for a couple of minutes. The air bubbles should disappear and clear from the bottom of the glass upwards. Air bubbles can easily be cleared by running an outside tap until the water runs clear.

Discoloured water

After completing work on water mains, we flush the pipes. This can stir up natural sediment and water trapped at dead ends in the network. Sediment can be a result of older pipes made of steel or a build-up of naturally occurring minerals in the water such as calcium and magnesium. The coloured water is not a health concern. Discolouration can easily be cleared by running an outside tap until the water runs clear. Then run a cold inside tap to remove any discoloured water that may have settled in pipes in your property.

Low water pressure

If your water isn’t running like it normally does (low pressure) or your toilet is not refilling, this can be caused by an airlock or residue blocking part of the fillings. Turn on an outside tap on for 10 – 15 minutes.

What do you do with the water you’ve run?

Capture the water in a bucket and:

  • use in your garden or on your household plants; or
  • use it to clean your car, boat, or family dog; or
  • use it to top up your pool; or
  • start a collection in a water tank / rain barrel for watering the garden when it is dry and hot.

If you are still experiencing cloudy or discoloured water or low water pressure, please call us 24/7 on 0800 WAIPADC (0800 924 723).

Water taste and odour issues

If you've noticed a change in the taste and odour of your water, it’s likely caused by increased levels of algae in the water supply.

Algae levels naturally increase in the summer, due to low flowing streams and warm temperatures. The water supply is still safe to drink and complies with the New Zealand Drinking Water Standards.

It is recommended that residents chill their water prior to drinking to help reduce the taste and odour.

Water treatment

Waipā’s water is treated so it’s safe for you to drink, and complies with the New Zealand Drinking Water Standards.

Our six water treatment plants across the district supply water to over 16,050 properties through 645 kilometres of water mains and pipes.

Learn more about how your water is treated, the water treatment plant in the video is for Hamilton City Council, but follows similar processes as the plants here in Waipā:

Connections to Council Supply

If you require a connection to Council's network, an application form will need to be filled out and lodged with Council, along with the payment of appropriate charges.

If you find a fault in the network belonging to Council, please contact us as soon as possible by reporting it online or calling 0800 WAIPA DC (0800 924 723). This phone line is staffed 24/7.

If you find or suspect a fault on your own property, it’s your responsibility to fix it and we strongly suggest you contact a plumber or drainlayer.

Water conservation

For more information about water conservation, please visit www.smartwater.org.nz

Waipā Water Story - an overview of water treatment for our district.

Water meters

For more information about water meters & rates, please click here

Water supply bylaw

View the latest bylaw documents: Bylaws

Frequently asked questions

Drinking water is monitored in Waipā to address possible contaminants including algae and associated taste and odour issues.

At a minimum our water supply is tested for the presence of any E. coli and for pH, turbidity and chlorine residual concentrations as per the current New Zealand Drinking Water Standards. Each water supply is different, and might have further parameters tested in addition to the above.

When algae levels increase in the summer, we test more frequently to closely monitor its presence and keep our drinking water safe.

Our water quality testing is verified by an independent, IANZ-accredited, Ministry of Health approved laboratory. Other agencies like Waikato Regional Council also monitor water quality in river and stream environments for the presence of algae some of these water bodies are also source water for the Waipā water supply such as the Waikato River.

If you’re on a public water system it’s completely safe to drink and complies with all New Zealand Drinking Water Standards.

Some algae results in an earthy flavour or even an unpleasant odour and taste, even at very low concentrations. Chilling your water reduces taste and odour issues.

Water supplies owned and managed by Council are required to treat, disinfect, and manage drinking water for their customers. If there’s a potential health risk, we’ll notify you, provide instructions and take immediate steps to remove the risk.

Algae is a naturally occurring organism found in fresh water. Blue-green algae (scientifically known as cyanobacteria) are microscopic organisms that are naturally present in lakes and streams. Under certain conditions, blue-green algae can become abundant in warm, shallow, undisturbed, nutrient-rich surface waters that receive a lot of sunlight - such as a raw water storage reservoir.

The Te Tahi Raw Water Storage Reservoir Photo credit David Luke.

While algae can cause an unpleasant flavour, it’s not dangerous or connected to adverse health effects. Council-supplied water is rigorously tested and meets all requirements of the New Zealand Drinking Water Standards and will not make you sick. If you or a family member is experiencing an upset stomach, we recommend contacting your doctor for advice.

Council are responsible for the quality of the water up to the property boundary. As detailed above, Council undergo regular testing of the water supply prior to delivery to properties. If you have questions about council supplied water please contact Waipā District Council on 0800 924 723.

For water testing on your property head to the Taumata Arowai to find a list of accredited laboratory services (this is a service not offered by Council).

Taumata Arowai - Using an accredited laboratory to test your drinking water

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