School Drinking Water E Coli Detections Down By 16% In A Year

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The regulator's report on drinking water regulation shows some major improvements in protection against infection, particularly in schools.

Water Services Authority Taumata Arowai's Drinking Water Regulation Report shows from 2023 to 2025, large council supplies meeting or almost meeting requirements has increased from 49 to 77 percent.

The Authority has been working particularly with the Education Ministry and schools with their own water supplies , leading to a reduction in detections of E coli from self-supplied schools by 16 percent in 2025.

The number of long-term drinking water advisories for schools was also down from 17 to seven in the same year, and schools were more consistent about notifying the authority.

Taumata Arowai head of operations Steve Taylor said the results real improvements in how suppliers were treating, monitoring and reporting.