FAQs
Why have I received a letter or email?
You’ve been contacted because our records suggest your property maybe be on a community, private, or unknown water supply. For non-council supplies, the information we hold isn’t always complete or up to date. We’re asking for your help to confirm how your water is supplied so we can ensure the assessment reflects what’s actually happening on the ground.
What do I need to do?
If you received a letter or email, please complete the short online survey. It should take around 5–10 minutes. The survey asks questions about your water source, whether it’s shared, and how it operates. Even if you’re not sure about all the details, your responses are still helpful.
What will the information be used for?
The information will be combined with other data to build a district-wide picture of drinking water supplies. It will help identify any risks to drinking water quality or reliability, and support future planning and investment decisions. The results will be reported at a community level and provided to Taumata Arowai as part of Council’s legal obligations.
Will my personal information be kept private?
Yes. Your responses will be grouped with others and reported at a community or ward level (for example, Alexandra or Cromwell). Individual responses and identifying information won’t be made public. The data will be used for assessment and planning purposes only.
Is this a compliance or enforcement process?
No. This is not a compliance exercise. You’re not being asked to make changes to your water supply, and there are no immediate regulatory consequences from taking part. The purpose is to gather information to support the assessment.
What if I don’t know much about my water supply?
That’s okay. Please answer as best you can. Even partial information is useful and helps improve our overall understanding. If your supply is shared, others in your scheme may also be providing information.
What types of water supplies are included in the Drinking Water Assessment?
The assessment covers all types of drinking water supplies in the district, including council networks, registered supplies, community schemes, and private/domestic sources such as bores or surface water. Understanding this full range is important to get an accurate picture of drinking water across Central Otago.
Who is Taumata Arowai and what is their role?
Taumata Arowai is New Zealand’s independent drinking water regulator. They set and enforce rules to ensure drinking water is safe across the country. Councils are required to provide information to Taumata Arowai so they can monitor how well drinking water systems are performing nationally.
What happens after the assessment is complete?
The information collected will be analysed and used to prepare a Drinking Water Assessment for the district. This will help inform future planning, identify any gaps or risks, and support long-term decisions about water services. The assessment must be completed by 1 July 2026.
What we already know
The diagram below outlines the number of properties across the district and how they have their drinking water supplied.
