Water supply

We manage Dunedin’s water supply system, from source to tap. We collect, supply, treat and distribute water to residents and businesses in Dunedin and outlying areas.

The system includes 21,000 hectares of water catchment, 6 treatment stations, 35 pumping stations, 57 reservoirs (raw and treated water) and 1450 km of pipes.

Where does our water come from?

We hold permits to take water from various rivers around Dunedin and manage many of our catchments to improve the quality and quantity of our water supply. The best catchment land is covered in natural bush or tussock to reduce the impact from stock, pests and other land use. Tussock plants collect and retain water, so having them in a catchment increases the water yield.

Dunedin’s water supply is sourced mainly from Deep Creek and Deep Stream, tributaries of the Taieri River. The Silverstream, Water of Leith catchment, Sawyers Bay and Port Chalmers catchments, Waikouaiti River and Waipori River supply outlying areas and supplement Dunedin’s supply when needed.