Water Services Act 2021

Standards, enforcement, and other matters - Monitoring and reporting on environmental performance of networks

143: Civil proceedings relating to non-compliance with section 142 or 146

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"Breaking water rules can lead to court action and fines"

Illustration for Water Services Act 2021

You can face court action if you do not comply with section 142(2) or 146(2). The Water Services Authority may apply to the High Court for an order if you do not comply. The court can make you comply or impose a fine of up to $50,000 if you have not complied with section 142(2) or 146(2). You may also have to pay the Water Services Authority's costs. The court can make other orders it thinks are appropriate. This can include making you pay the costs of the court case. The court's decision is final and you must follow its orders. If you do not, you may face further action. The Water Services Authority can take you to court to make sure you follow the rules.

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View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=LMS556287.

This page was last updated on 24 December 2025 — View changes

Topics:

Crime and justice > Courts and legal helpEnvironment and resources > Conservation

142: Collection of information for monitoring and reporting on environmental performance, or

"Water Services Authority collects info to check environmental performance"

144: Network registers, or

"Lists of wastewater and stormwater networks that the Water Services Authority keeps and shares with the public"

Part 3Standards, enforcement, and other matters
Monitoring and reporting on environmental performance of networks

143Civil proceedings relating to non-compliance with section 142 or 146

The Water Services Authority may apply to the High Court for an order if a person does not comply with section 142(2) or 146(2).
If the court is satisfied that the person has not complied with section 142(2) or 146(2), the court may make either or both of the following:
an order directing the person to comply with section 142(2) or 146(2):
an order imposing a civil pecuniary penalty not exceeding $50,000.

In addition to the orders referred to in subsection (2), the court may make any other order that the court considers appropriate in the circumstances, including an order directing the person to pay to the Water Services Authority the reasonable costs of the proceedings.

Notes

Section 143(1): amended, on 27 August 2025, by section 111(2) of the Local Government (Water Services) (Repeals and Amendments) Act 2025 (2025 No 43).
Section 143(3): amended, on 27 August 2025, by section 111(2) of the Local Government (Water Services) (Repeals and Amendments) Act 2025 (2025 No 43).