Water FAQ's

Drinking Water FAQ's

Why does my water look cloudy?

This is usually just tiny air bubbles - especially common in summer or after a pipe repair. Let the water sit for a few minutes and it should clear up. Still cloudy? Try running your outside tap for 5 minutes. If it doesn’t improve, get in touch with us.

Why is my water discoloured?

My water looks brown or orange:

Rusty or discoloured water can happen when sediment gets stirred up - like after pipe cleaning, hydrant use, or a break in the water main. It could also be caused by a water shutdown. Download the Antenno app to get alerts about water shutdowns near you.

My water looks yellow or green:

Heavy rain can cause natural materials to wash into the water supply.

Is discoloured water safe to drink?

It is best to flush the discoloured water out, please follow the steps below.

To fix discoloured water;

Run your outside tap for 5-10 minutes. If the water is still discoloured, please contact us via the Antenno app, by ringing us, filling in our online form or emailing info@westernbay.govt.nz and we will help get this sorted.

What are the black specks in my water?

These are often from worn-out hoses or fittings. A plumber can help replace them to keep your water clean.

Why is there grit in my toilet?

This might be a sign of wear inside your home’s pipes. Call a plumber to check and fix it.

Stormwater FAQ's

What to do if your place is flooding

Listen to your local radio stations as emergency management officials will be broadcasting the most appropriate advice for your community and situation.
If you have a disability or need support, make contact with your support network.
Put your household emergency plan into action and check your getaway kit.
Be prepared to evacuate quickly if it becomes necessary.
Where possible, move pets inside or to a safe place, and move stock to higher ground.
Lift valuable household items and chemicals as high above the floor as possible.
Fill bathtubs, sinks and storage containers with clean water in case water becomes contaminated.
Turn off utilities if told to do so by authorities as it can help prevent damage to your home or community. Unplug small appliances to avoid damage from power surges.
Do not attempt to drive or walk through floodwaters unless it is absolutely essential.

Drainage: flooding and blocked drain grates and culverts

Contact our Customer Services Team. You can report all this via the Antenno app, by ringing us, filling in our online form or emailing info@westernbay.govt.nz

Water Connections

How do I apply for a water connection? Click on this link.

Can I take water from a Council Fire Hydrant? No. Only the Fire Department, Water Service Maintenance Contractors and other approved Contractors are allowed to use these, due to the risk it poses to public health. Contractors must apply for a permit to take water. To apply for a Water abstraction permit, follow this link.

Can my water meter be relocated? Yes. This is undertaken by the customers themselves using a Council approved installer. The list of approved installers is on the water meter application form. When the installation is completed the details of the connection, and its location are supplied to Council by the approved installers, so Council can continue to maintain the connection.

Why do Rural Properties have Restricted connections? The reason behind restricting the flow of the water through the connection for rural properties is to reduce the effect that instantaneous flow has on the overall water system. Western Bay is experiencing an increase in the number of rural life styled blocks, that are being created due to conversion of farmland from arable land into lifestyle blocks, as time progresses. To offset the increase in demand for water that this is causing in rural areas, the Council introduced the requirement that all new rural lifestyle block draw their water over the duration of the day at a reduced rate. New lifestyle blocks are required to have on site water tanks from which to draw their water peaks from. This means that the lifestyle block peak water demand is localized to the tank and not passed onto the overall system. Thus, the Council can cater for the increase demand for water caused by the subdivision of farms into lifestyle blocks without having to undertake major upgrades of pipes to cater for the increased demand. Each property needs to be assessed on a case-by-case basis. If you have a particular query relating to your restricted connection please contact us via the Antenno app, by ringing us, filling in our online form or emailing info@westernbay.govt.nz