Every day the people of greater Wellington have access to high quality drinking water at the turn of a tap; summer or winter, it's always there. A safe and reliable water supply is vital to the health and prosperity of our region.

We collect and treat all the tap water used in Lower Hutt, Porirua, Upper Hutt and Wellington. Once it's treated, we distribute the water to reservoirs owned by the four city councils, from where the cities supply to the public.

Our role as wholesale water supplier to the region's cities involves:

• Operating four water treatment plants, 15 pumping stations and just over 180 kilometres of large-diameter pipelines
• Supplying enough water each day - around 150 million litres on average - to meet the needs of over 370,000 people
• Maintaining a high quality of treated water, consistent with New Zealand's drinking water standards
• Planning to ensure that the water needs of future generations can be met
• Managing assets valued at $296 million.

Our part in providing the region's water supply costs around $23 million dollars annually, or 42 cents per thousand litres. Each week we deliver enough high-quality water to fill Wellington's Westpac Stadium. 

Our water supply system is nearing its design capacity. A major new water source will almost certainly be needed in the next few years unless water use per person can be reduced as the population grows. To read about our planning to meet the future water needs of the region's cities see Planning for regional growth (above left).

We would like people to understand the importance of water treatment and the journey water takes from rainfall to their tap. In addition to this web site we have printed material available on request.

Organised groups are welcome to visit one of our treatment plants, weekdays by arrangement, for a guided tour to see the treatment process in action and learn more about the region's water supply. Tours are provided free of charge. For more information contact info@gw.govt.nz

Our environmental education team has also developed 'Take Action for Water', a four week teaching programme to help 8-12 year olds understand and care for freshwater in the Wellington region. See External links (above right) for more information.