Water connects us all. Our homes, our environment, and the communities we live in.
Looking after it means making sure the services we all rely on every day remain safe, reliable, and ready for the future.
Selwyn Water exists to focus solely on drinking water and wastewater for the district - maintaining and strengthening the systems that support our growing communities.
Because caring for water isn’t just about infrastructure.
It’s about looking after the place we all share - one precious drop at a time.
We are a Council-Controlled Organisation, 100% owned by Selwyn District Council and established under the Local Government (Water Services) Act 2025.
Our purpose is simple: to provide safe, reliable and affordable water services for our communities - now and into the future.
With a dedicated focus on water, we bring specialist expertise, independent governance and long-term planning to one of the district’s most important public services.
Why we’re here and what we do
Selwyn is one of New Zealand’s fastest-growing districts.
As our communities grow, so does the need for water services that are resilient, compliant, and both financially and environmentally sustainable.
Selwyn Water was created as part of the Government’s Local Water Done Well reforms to strengthen regulatory performance and improve long-term investment planning.
Our role is to take full responsibility for drinking water and wastewater - from day-to-day operations and maintenance through to major infrastructure upgrades and future network planning.
We operate and maintain the district’s treatment plants, pump stations and networks. We meet national public health and environmental standards, and we invest in infrastructure to support growth, improve resilience and protect water quality.
Stormwater, land drainage and water races remain the responsibility of Selwyn District Council, and we work closely together to ensure coordinated planning and delivery.
Every decision we make is guided by long-term service stewardship - delivering value today while safeguarding affordability and reliability for future generations.
Our approach
Water is more than infrastructure. It connects our communities, our environment and our future.
We act as a responsible steward of Selwyn’s drinking water and wastewater services, working in partnership with mana whenua and alongside our communities to protect this essential resource.
That means:
- Being transparent and accountable
- Planning for the long term
- Investing carefully and sustainably
- Delivering services people can rely on every day
Where we’re heading
We are a young organisation building strong foundations.
Over the next three years our focus is on:
- Strengthening our systems and capability
- Meeting and exceeding regulatory standards
- Improving network performance and resilience
- Delivering efficient, customer-focused services
Our ambition is to become a best-in-class public water services provider - trusted by our communities and prepared for the future.