Who is responsible for pipes?

This information applies to domestic and commercial customers.

  • We own and maintain the meters, backflow prevention devices, pipes, and other network assets on our side of the point of supply.

  • You own and are responsible for maintaining all the pipes, fittings and devices on your side of the point of supply.

  • There may be some older connections that do not match the examples here. If you have any questions about your situation, please call us on (09) 442 2222, press 4.

  • For more information see the Customer contract, Section 4.

Water pipes

Point of supply for water


Click to enlarge

The point of supply is the outlet of the meter fitting closest to your private pipe – see diagram above. This applies whether the meter is inside or outside the property boundary.

For technical details see the Code of Practice, Chapter 6, Section 6.6.

Here are five examples of the point of supply for water:

a. Water meter outside property View diagram

b. Water meter inside property View diagram

c. Master meter and subsidiary meters. Please note: this is a legacy system that we no longer use, but still exists for some properties. View diagram

d. Water meter off private road View diagram

e. Houses on a private road with a multi-meter box View diagram

Wastewater pipes

Cross-lease boundaries

For our purposes the boundaries between cross-lease properties do not apply. We recognise the legal boundary of the original title of the property. Any issues of responsibility within the legal boundary are a matter for the property owners, who should refer to the terms of the cross-lease.