New Zealand Water Treatment

The New Zealand Government manages and monitors water supply in three areas: Wastewater, Storm water and Drinking water. Two private sector companies manage the water supply for the NZ Government along with several small regional players. The Government and Water Regulatory Associations admit to having what may be perceived as a disjointed approach to the management and control of water quality and regulatory policies in New Zealand.

Many inner-city water supply infrastructures are old and need urgent attention. The water-based waste streams include sewerage systems, which pipe excrement to treatment facilities, and then into rivers or coastal waters. Other point sources discharges pipe treated or untreated wastes from farms, factories and mines into rivers and coastal waters.

Storm water, waste overflows systems which channel rainwater from roads and urban properties into rivers and coastal waters (picking up street litter and contaminants on the way) and source discharges such as livestock excrement which is washed from paddocks into streams by rainwater SILT.  SILT monitoring is becoming extremely topical in New Zealand and may give opportunities for U.S. technology firms to explore.

While Auckland and Wellington have safe, drinkable water, at least 721,000 Kiwis were drinking ‘unsafe’ water in regional areas. Regulatory parameters are in place for the supply of suitable water fit for human consumption. A gastro outbreak in 2016 in Havelock North still sees no changes to water treatment or supply methods being lobbied by Government.

Responsibility for managing waste disposal in New Zealand is largely in the hands of the private sector who operate landfills, refuse collections, sewerage and storm water systems. Local government regulates these operations and air pollution discharges, and the assessment and clean-up of contaminated sites. Opportunities certainly exists in new technology for water supply, treatment and monitoring. New Zealand has no prime manufacturing industry in this sector and relies on global supply and trends to become available locally.

New Zealand Water Statistics: 70 Major river systems run for more than 425,000 Kilometers. New Zealand has 249,776 hectares of wetland. New Zealand has more than 50,000 lakes - 4,000 are larger than one hectare. 440 Billion cubic meters of water flow into rivers and streams. 711 Billion cubic meters of water are stored in underground aquifers.

For more information contact our office in New Zealand at office.wellington@trade.gov.