1 Summary
We propose for consultation a new national environmental standard for human drinking-water sources.
A national environmental standard is a legally enforceable regulation. The exact wording of this standard will be legally drafted after government decision following this consultation. In essence, the proposed standard will say:
- New consents in drinking-water catchments shall only be granted if the proposed activity does not result in drinking-water being non-potable or unwholesome following treatment.
- Consent authorities will periodically assess the risks within drinking-water catchments to ensure that permitted and unregulated activities do not cause impacts beyond the performance of the affected treatment facilities.
- Resource consents within drinking-water catchments will have a condition that any unauthorised activity be notified to the water supplier immediately.
- Resource consents to take water for drinking will have a condition that requires appropriate action, including turning off the supply, if notified of events or activities that make the drinking-water non-potable.
