New national report reveals key pressure points across New Zealand's water networks

New Zealand's first complete national picture of public drinking water and wastewater network environmental performance shows many water networks are under severe pressure, with wastewater overflows, drinking water leakage and consent compliance emerging as significant challenges.

The Water Services Authority – Taumata Arowai has published the Network Environmental Performance Report 2024/25 (NEPR). This is the third year the Authority has published this report, and the first based off a complete set of wastewater information.

The report shows that many networks are under immense pressure and better data, maintenance and targeted investment are needed to reduce risks to public health and the environment and increase long-term system resilience.