The inquiry was scathing on the suppliers - usually the local authority, monitored by the Health Ministry - for not ensuring safe drinking water. While water in Auckland and Wellington was safe to drink, elsewhere at least 721,000 Kiwis were drinking water that was "not demonstrably safe". "These findings point to a widespread systemic failure among water suppliers to meet the high standards required for the supply of safe drinking water to the public. The inquiry recommends a major overhaul of the system including 51 recommendations, including the universal treatment of drinking water, establishing a new independent drinking water regulator, and stronger laws and regulations to enforce standards. Attorney-General David Parker said the report made for "sobering reading", noting that New Zealanders' drinking water was "often inadequate".

Source: Otago Daily Times December 06, 2017 00:56 UTC