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Water services

Information and advice on drinking water in the Gisborne district.

Flush water before drinking

Residents are reminded of the Ministry of Health recommendation to flush a mugful of water from drinking-water taps (including those with filters) each morning before use to remove any metals that may have dissolved from plumbing fittings.

This is recommended for all households, including those on public and private water supplies.

City water supply

Waingake water treatment plant

Gisborne city's water is supplied from 2 main water catchments, the Mangapoike dams (Williams, Clapcott and Sang) and the Te Arai Bush Catchment.

The untreated water from these sources is treated at the Waingake Water Treatment Plant, before travelling a 30km pipeline to the city's reticulation network, before being delivered to your tap.

Waipaoa water treatment plant

Gisborne also has a secondary treatment plant located at the Waipaoa River. This augmentation plant was built in answer to the wide spread devastation caused by Cyclone Bola in 1988.

This plant draws water from the Waipaoa River and is essentially only used as a 'back-up' supply during peak water demand in the height of summer and in emergency situations.

Most of Gisborne city's water comes from the Waingake Water Treatment Plant.

Water information

Wai our water saving champion tells the journey to get clean drinking water to your tap