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Water supply update

Auckland's tap water fully complies with drinking water standards for New Zealand and remains safe to drink.

Auckland’s water supply continues to meet drinking water standards

We’re testing on a daily basis and today’s result (04/12/24) of 0.0064mg/l is well below the ‘maximum acceptable value' of 0.01mg/l for arsenic in New Zealand drinking water. Samples taken at Waikato Water Treatment Plant have met drinking water standards for New Zealand for eight days running.

Latest press release: Waikato River water suppliers achieve compliance with arsenic standards

Watercare results

Date: 04/12/2024

Level of arsenic: 0.0064mg/l

The 'maximum acceptable value' for arsenic is 0.01 milligrams per litre: Compliant


Date: 02/12/2024

Level of arsenic: 0.0056mg/l

The 'maximum acceptable value' for arsenic is 0.01 milligrams per litre: Compliant


Date: 01/12/2024

Level of arsenic: 0.0056mg/l

The 'maximum acceptable value' for arsenic is 0.01 milligrams per litre: Compliant


Date: 30/11/2024

Level of arsenic: 0.0059mg/l

The 'maximum acceptable value' for arsenic is 0.01 milligrams per litre: Compliant

Date: 29/11/2024

Level of arsenic: 0.0079mg/l

The ‘maximum acceptable value’ for arsenic is 0.01 milligrams per litre: Compliant


Date: 28/11/2024

Level of arsenic: 0.0068 mg/l

The ‘maximum acceptable value’ for arsenic is 0.01 milligrams per litre: Compliant


Date: 27/11/2024

Level of arsenic: 0.0062 mg/l

The ‘maximum acceptable value’ for arsenic is 0.01 milligrams per litre: Compliant


Date: 26/11/2024

Level of arsenic: 0.0081 mg/l

The ‘maximum acceptable value’ for arsenic is 0.01 milligrams per litre: Compliant


Date: 25/11/2024

Level of arsenic: 0.011mg/l

The ‘maximum acceptable value’ for arsenic is 0.01 milligrams per litre: Above limit by 0.001mg/l

Fact sheet: Arsenic and drinking water

Background

On Tuesday 26 November, a single sample taken from the treated water at our Waikato Water Treatment Plant returned a slightly elevated result – just above the ‘maximum acceptable value’ in the New Zealand Drinking Water Standards. The ‘maximum acceptable value’ is 0.01milligrams per litre. Our elevated result was marginally above this at 0.011milligrams per litre. We immediately reported this to the water services regulator, Taumata Arowai, in line with standard procedure.

We then learned that other water suppliers who treat water from the river are reporting similar slightly elevated results. Both Taumata Arowai and the National Public Health Service have provided assurance that there is no concern for public health from drinking treated water from the Waikato River. The limits set in the New Zealand Drinking Water Standards are based on the level of risk from a lifetime of drinking the water. There is no need to boil your water. It is safe to drink straight from the tap. We have arranged for additional testing and will share the results on this page. We are working closely with other agencies involved and will provide regular updates.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much arsenic had been detected in Watercare’s drinking water?
Is my water safe to drink?
How do you know arsenic levels in the treated water haven’t been high for a long time?
How often do you test for arsenic in the treated water from the Waikato River?
How much of Auckland’s water comes from the Waikato River?
How do we treat water from the Waikato River?
How does arsenic get into the water supply?
Do Watercare treatment processes at the Waikato Water Treatment Plant remove or reduce the level of arsenic?
Can I remove arsenic by boiling my water?
Is arsenic often detected in other water sources around New Zealand?
When did you learn of the elevated test result?
When did you share the results with the public?