Plain language law

New Zealand law explained for everyone

We haven’t prepared a plain language version of this yet

We haven’t created a plain language version of this legislation yet. We’re working through New Zealand’s laws to make them more accessible to everyone, focusing on areas that impact the most people first.

If you’d like to see this particular legislation explained in plain language, please email us at hello@ackama.com with the subject “Plain language law” and mention this page — we’ll be happy to add it to our priority list.

Request a plain language version

Part 2Provisions relating to supply of drinking water
Emergency powers

63Exemption during drinking water emergency

  1. If a drinking water emergency declaration is in force, the Water Services Authority may exempt any drinking water supplier, or class of drinking water supplier, from compliance with any or all of the requirements in sections 21, 22, 24, 25, 27, 28, 30, 37, and 38.

  2. The Water Services Authority may grant an exemption from the requirements on any conditions that the Water Services Authority thinks fit.

  3. Without limiting the power in subsection (2), the conditions may include a requirement—

  4. that the drinking water supplier take appropriate measures to minimise the serious risk to public health; and
    1. that the drinking water supplier advise affected consumers and drinking water suppliers of measures that they should take to protect public health; and
      1. relating to the composition of the drinking water; and
        1. to monitor the quality of the drinking water.

          1. The exempt drinking water supplier and the territorial authority that is responsible for the geographical area to which the exemption relates must take all practicable steps to inform affected consumers of the exemption for the period during which it remains in force.

          2. An exemption expires when the drinking water emergency to which it relates is no longer in force, unless earlier revoked.

          3. An exemption granted under this section is secondary legislation (see Part 3 of the Legislation Act 2019 for publication requirements).

          Notes
          • Section 63(1): amended, on , by section 111(2) of the Local Government (Water Services) (Repeals and Amendments) Act 2025 (2025 No 43).
          • Section 63(2): amended, on , by section 111(2) of the Local Government (Water Services) (Repeals and Amendments) Act 2025 (2025 No 43).