How we manage our water demand
- The Water Conservation and Demand Management Plan provides background information and an analysis of water management in the Selwyn District and presents a plan for improved water demand management.
- High growth in the eastern urban townships including Rolleston, Lincoln, West Melton and Prebbleton, is driving the need for more public drinking water from these townships’ sources - both at existing and new sites.
- All current township water restrictions are notified on this web page and our Facebook page. You can also sign up to receive urgent water notices by text and email here.
We have two types of water supply in the district: on-demand (unrestricted/metered) and restricted supply.
If the network in your area has reached full capacity and no new connections are available, you may need to consider a private water supply.
Private water supplies
Not all properties in Selwyn are connected to Selwyn Water’s reticulated (public) drinking water supply. Many households and businesses rely on alternative water sources, including:
- A private bore (well) or roof‑collected rainwater stored in tanks.
- Privately owned reticulated supplies, where a group of homes share a privately managed network. Older private systems may carry higher risks of pipe breaks or contamination.
- Small community supplies, such as those operated by schools, campgrounds or other small facilities.
- Public community supplies and water race water, depending on the area and available infrastructure.
Your responsibilities
If your drinking water comes from a private source, you are responsible for ensuring it is safe to drink. This includes:
- Knowing where your water source is and ensuring it is well maintained.
- Regularly testing your private supply. Environment Canterbury recommends routine testing for pathogens and nitrates, plus a one‑off test for heavy metals and organic chemicals.
- Following safe drinking water guidance for private supplies.
- Seeking advice early if you plan changes to your property or water system.
Water storage tanks
Many rural properties need water storage tanks for household use and fire‑fighting requirements. To keep tank water safe:
- Ensure tanks are sealed to prevent birds, animals, and insects from entering.
- Repair cracks, gaps, and unsealed lids.
- Screen breather holes to prevent insect entry.
- Follow recommended steps for disinfecting tanks when needed.
Restricted water supplies
Unlike most urban water supplies, where water is available on demand directly from the network whenever you turn on a tap, restricted water supplies deliver a set volume of water to your property each day.
Restricted supplies are used on some rural, rural-residential and urban fringe water schemes where available water resources and infrastructure capacity need to be carefully managed. They are also commonly used to service properties on larger land sizes, where water demand is typically higher and metered, on-demand use could place significant pressure on the network and reduce the reliability of supply for other connected properties.
Water is delivered continuously by trickle feed throughout the day through a flow restrictor, which controls the rate at which water enters your private storage tank.
Find out more about restricted water supplies on this page.