A new bylaw could be needed to enable the Dunedin City Council to manage its water supply network effectively, safely and in alignment with new legislation. This culminated in the Local Government (Water Services) Act 2025 and government acceptance of the council’s water services delivery plan. The council’s water supply network serves more than 45,000 properties and includes nine water supply dams, 62 treated-water reservoirs, over 1700km of pipelines, 21 pumping stations and six water treatment plants. The purpose of the bylaw would be to enable efficient and effective management of the water supply network, including servicing areas where growth is anticipated, protect the council’s water supply and equipment from contamination and against damage, and protect against water wastage. A person may commit an infringement offence if they carry out building work over or near water services infrastructure without approval, discharge into the water supply network without authorisation or tamper with a water meter.

Source: Otago Daily Times February 22, 2026 17:22 UTC