Find out how the public water supply works and how the Council manages it on your behalf.

What we do
The Council maintains eight public water supply schemes throughout the district – Queenstown, Arrowtown, Glenorchy, Lake Hayes, Arthur’s Point, Wanaka Lake Hawea and Luggate. 

85% of our rateable properties are connected to these public schemes – the rest get their water other ways such as rainwater tanks, private bores and private reticulated schemes. 

The Council is investigating options for a public water scheme in Kingston.  There are very high costs involved in constructing a new scheme and the Council is trying to figure out how the small town can sustain this.

How we do it
The Council contracts United Water Limited to look after the maintenance and operation of all the public water supply schemes, except Lake Hayes.

When is it your responsibility?
Every property has a water toby, like a tap or a valve, which carries water from the public water supply, into your property.

The Council is responsible for everything up to, and including the toby.  Any problems after the toby is the responsibility of the property owner.