Water Supply Advisory

Water Supply Advisory to Hatepe, Motuoapa and Centennial Drive residents

UPDATED MAY 2026: Community Water Supply Advisory

Important update on drinking water supply

Drinking water is provided by treatment plants that uses multiple barriers to ensure the safety of your water, including continuous monitoring and a comprehensive sampling programme that fully complies with Drinking Water Quality Assurance Rules.

A barrier which is required for all water treatment processes is a protozoa barrier, examples of which include ultra-violet (UV) light disinfection or membrane treatment. While some water treatment plants in Taupō District already have protozoa treatment, a number of treatment plants do not yet have protozoa treatment. Council has made significant progress with upgrading all our water treatment plants to meet water quality standards for protozoa treatment.

In line with expectations from the government’s Water Services Authority - Taumata Arowai, we are informing you that supply in Hatepe, Motuoapa and Centennial Drive does not yet include a specific barrier for protozoa (such as cryptosporidium or giardia). Letters or emails have been sent to all home owners in these areas.

We want to reassure you that there has been no change to the way your water is treated and we will continue to monitor your water and maintain the highest standard possible.

This advisory is part of our commitment to communicate with our community. Your health and safety continue to be our top priorities and we encourage you to be aware of this information and provide it to anyone in your household, including visitors and accommodation bookings you manage or properties you rent. You may want to consider boiling water for consumption if you are concerned. Boiling water is effective in treating protozoa.

Water treatment plant upgrades

Our water treatment plant upgrade programme, as outlined in the Long-term Plan 2024-34, is below. These plant upgrades will all include protozoa barriers.

Motuoapa water treatment plant: due for completion in September 2026.
Hatepe water treatment plant: due for completion in mid 2027.
Centennial Drive: A temporary UV disinfection process is now operational. Connection to the Taupō membrane water treatment plant is expected in mid 2027, providing a permanent solution.

Water Supply Advisory area maps

This community water supply advisory is relevant to the following areas only - Hatepe, Motuoapa and Centennial Drive - as outlined in these specific area maps.

FAQs

Answers to commonly asked questions about this water supply advisory are available below. If you have any other questions or require further information, please contact our customer relations team on 07 376 0899 or email info@taupo.govt.nz.

Has something changed with our water supply?

Nothing has changed. This advisory is being issued to meet new transparency requirements from our water regulator Taumata Arowai.

What are protozoa and what is a protozoa barrier?

Protozoa are a group of microscopic organisms that live in the environment and often come from animal waste. Some types, like giardia and cryptosporidium, can cause stomach illness if they get into drinking water, especially in people with weakened immune systems.

A protozoa barrier is a treatment step that specifically targets microscopic organisms like Cryptosporidium and Giardia. While the risk they pose is low, adding this barrier provides an extra level of protection.

Is the water still safe to drink?

To reiterate, there has been no change to your water supply. We have had reliable and consistent water quality for many years. We have ongoing and effective treatment for bacteria and will continue to monitor and test to ensure we meet standards. However, we will not be compliant with water quality legislation and be able to demonstrate your water is 100 percent safe until comprehensive protozoa treatment is in place.

Why are we only hearing about this now?

Taumata Arowai, our national water regulator, has recently updated their expectations for public communication. We are now required to inform consumers if a protozoa barrier is not in place, even if the overall risk has not changed.

What should I do if I have concerns about the water?

You may wish to boil water for drinking, food preparation, or brushing teeth as a precaution.

We recommend heating water to boiling point - the easiest way to do this is to boil water in an electric jug until it turns off automatically.

No treatment is required for other uses such as washing clothes or taking a bath or shower.

For more detailed information on boiling water, go to the Taumata Arowai website

What is the Water Services Authority, Taumata Arowai?

The Water Services Authority, Taumata Arowai is our national drinking water regulator. Their role is to regulate drinking water suppliers like Taupō District Council so that they meet the requirements and standards for delivering safe drinking water.

How will I be kept informed?

We will keep you informed by sending a letter and via our Antenno app which we recommend downloading.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us.