Proposed Wastewater Standards
New Zealand's Water Services Authority, Taumata Arowai, is seeking feedback on its proposed Wastewater Standards, which aim to establish clear regulatory expectations for wastewater management across the country.
The four proposed standards focus on key consenting matters, including the discharge of treated wastewater to water or land, the application and use of biosolids, and the management of overflows and bypasses. These areas are critical to ensuring environmental sustainability, public health protection, and compliance with evolving regulatory frameworks.
Lowe Environmental Impact (LEI) has undertaken a review of the proposed standards, assessing their potential implications, challenges, and opportunities. We have prepared a draft submission outlining our perspectives, which we openly share here to contribute to the broader discussion. By making our submission available, we aim to support an informed and constructive dialogue on the future of wastewater management in New Zealand.