Council plans to become class 1 water supplier, bypass treatment rules
Christchurch’s water supply technically leaves 170,000 people at risk of exposure to protozoa, but the city council’s head of Three Waters says residents shouldn’t worry and it has a plan.
The latest update comes as mayor Phil Mauger says a representative from Taumata Arowai, the national water regulator, has agreed to attend an upcoming Christchurch City Council meeting.
Brent Smith, the council’s head of Three Waters, said instead of putting protozoa treatment barriers into its water supply (as requested by Taumatua Arowai, following the recent cryptosporidium outbreak in Queenstown), the council planned to become a class 1 supplier. Reaching the threshold of class 1 status was not achievable for all of the council’s water sources, but could be for most, he said.
Most of Christchurch’s water comes from aquifers (an underground water source). If the city drew that water from a depth of 30m or more, it could meet the water regulator’s class 1 requirements and would not require a UV treatment barrier.
Read reporter Sinead Gill's full story here.
Poll: Canterbury is thriving on paper... but are you seeing evidence of Canterbury's improving economy?
As reported in the Press, Reserve Bank Governor Anna Breman recently gave a shout-out to our region, calling Canterbury a "stand-out" for how we recover from tough times. With tech firms growing and exporters investing, the business side of things is looking bright!
👉 But we know that "business growth" doesn't always mean the weekly shop gets any cheaper. While the city expands, many families feel like they’re just trying to keep their heads above water.
We want to know: With the business buzz of 2026, do you feel like things are finally looking up for your household, or does it still feel like a climb?
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0% Yes
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0% No
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100% In some areas ...
🧩😏 Riddle me this, Neighbours…
I am an odd number. Take away a letter and I become even. What number am I?
Do you think you know the answer?
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Have you got New Zealand's best shed? Show us and win!
Once again, Resene and NZ Gardener are on the hunt for New Zealand’s best shed! Send in the photos and the stories behind your man caves, she sheds, clever upcycled spaces, potty potting sheds and colourful chicken coops. The Resene Shed of the Year 2026 winner receives $1000 Resene ColorShop voucher, a $908 large Vegepod Starter Pack and a one-year subscription to NZ Gardener. To enter, tell us in writing (no more than 500 words) why your garden shed is New Zealand’s best, and send up to five high-quality photos by email to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz. Entries close February 23, 2026.
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