Porirua residents are now being told to contact Tiaki Wai for water leaks, wastewater issues, stormwater problems and water billing enquiries, after the new regional water organisation took over services from councils and Wellington Water today.
Tiaki Wai is responsible for drinking water, wastewater and piped stormwater services across Porirua, Hutt Valley and Wellington. It is a council-owned organisation set up by Hutt City, Porirua City, Upper Hutt City, Wellington City and Greater Wellington under the Government’s Local Water Done Well reforms.
Porirua City Council said residents should contact Tiaki Wai directly for leaks or burst pipes, bad-tasting water, wastewater overflows, blocked street drains, billing and other general enquiries.
Urgent faults can be reported by calling 0800 TIAKI WAI, or 0800 842 549.
The handover comes after years of public frustration with Wellington Water and growing concern about the state of the region’s ageing water network. Tiaki Wai says the region’s water, wastewater and stormwater networks are under pressure after decades of underinvestment, and that improvements will take time.
The new agency has also started work in the shadow of the Moa Point wastewater failure in Wellington, which prompted public anger, health warnings and questions about accountability across the region’s water system.
For many Porirua ratepayers, the key question is why a new organisation with wider powers and coverage is expected to perform better than the model it replaces.
Council and Tiaki Wai have said the change is intended to give water services a regional focus, more funding options, new leadership and clearer governance. Tiaki Wai will absorb Wellington Water and take responsibility for water assets, funding and service delivery.
Water services charges will now be billed separately from council rates. Porirua City Council says property owners can expect their first Tiaki Wai water services bill in late July or early August, with bills then arriving every three months on the same or a similar schedule as council rates.
The change leaves several public questions still to be answered clearly, including how Tiaki Wai will be held accountable, what service improvements Porirua residents can expect first, how costs will be controlled, and how the new organisation will avoid repeating Wellington Water’s failures.
Residents can find information at tiakiwai.co.nz or poriruacity.govt.nz. Water faults should now be reported to 0800 TIAKI WAI.