Splash pad at the Kawerau town pools

Water Services

Kawerau District Council provides three crucial water services to the District:

  • Water,
  • Wastewater,
  • Stormwater.

Water comes from your tap, shower, and so on. The Council manages a water treatment plant and also maintains, upgrades and renews the water network.

Wastewater is the liquid which drains from showers, sinks, washing machines, baths, toilets, and industrial premises. Wastewater is 99.9 percent water and contains less than 0.1 percent other materials.

Stormwater is the water that runs off surfaces such as roads, driveways, footpaths and rooftops. It travels down gutters, into sumps and enters the stormwater network.

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Kawerau's water supply comes from two springs. There are also three wells available for use if the supply from the springs is insufficient to meet local demand during times of extended drought.

Rainwater is not permitted to enter the sewerage system.

Kawerau’s stormwater system is a 30 kilometre network of pipes, manholes and cesspits.

In June, Council received an extension up until September 30, 2024, from the Director-General of Health to complete the installation of fluoridation infrastructure. This has now been completed and the Ministry of Health has fully funded the project of $457,980 for this work. The Ministry of Health has advised Council that it will need to start adding fluoride to the water as per the directive we received on 22 July 2022.