Apply for a water connection, meter or backflow preventer

Photo of a water meter.

To connect to the water network, you will need to submit an application form and you must use an approved contractor.

Licensed and approved contractors

Residents are not permitted to move, modify or alter Council water meters or meter boxes without prior consent.

If you need to move, modify, or alter the position of your water meter, you must complete a Public Utility application and have the work undertaken by a Council licensed water contractor. 

Connection / backflow preventer

Step 1.Check your property 

Before any work is started on-site, please check to confirm that your property is in an area that has access to Council's water network, a connection point exists to the property boundary and that the system has enough capacity.

We can assist with checking your property, help with the application process and any enquiries.  You can contact us online or by phone. 

Enquire online 

Phone: 09 430 4200

Step 2.Apply for or relocate a water connection

For most properties, a connection point will have been allowed for at the time of subdivision. If not, you may need to apply for a new water connection to connect to our Council reticulation.

Please complete the application form to:

  • apply for a connection
  • disconnect from the local water supply
  • relocate a water connection
  • apply for a backflow preventer.   

Public Utility connection / disconnection application(PDF, 258KB)

You will need to supply the following supporting documents with your application form.

  • site plan
  • as-builts of the existing network 

Step 3.Select and engage an approved contractor

Choose from the list of licensed and approved contractors below.  

Licensed and approved contractors

We recommend that you agree the price and availability with the Contractor prior to making the application. The contractor needs to be nominated on application form.

Step 4.Send to us

Submit the completed application form along with supporting documentation to:

By email:  mailroom@wdc.govt.nz

By post:

Whangarei District Council 
Private Bag 9023
Te Mai
Whangārei 0143

In-person:

Te Iwitahi
9 Rust Avenue, Whangārei
Hours:  Monday to Friday - 8:00am to 4:30pm
Closed public holidays

Ruakākā service centre 
9 Takutai Place, Ruakākā
Hours:  Monday to Friday - 8:30am to 4:00pm
Closed public holidays

Service centre at isite
92 Otaika Road, Raumanga
Hours: Monday to Friday - 9:00am to 12:00pm and 12:30pm to 4:30pm
Closed public holidays

Step 5.Pay fee 

A fee may be charged.  If you are bringing the application form into one of our Customer Service centres, you can pay by cash, eftpos or credit card.

Water fees and charges

If you are submitting the application to us by email or post, we will contact you about the fees payable.   You can pay either online, in-person at one of our Customer Service centres or by phone.

Pay an application fee or invoice

Step 6.Assessment

Your application will be processed once the fee and application form are received. 

We will assess your application and if approved, we will send you an approval letter.

If the connection requires Development Contributions, then the approval letter will be held until payment is received.

Once approved, the work can be carried out by an approved Council registered contractor.

Step 7.Book inspection

You must arrange for us to carry out an inspection prior to back-filling of underground services and with a minimum of 24 hours notice.

You will need the PU number which is shown on your approval letter.  

Book an inspection online

Step 8.Provide final documents

You must supply us with the following within one month after the commissioning of the new water connection or backflow preventer.

  • final As-built plans*
  • meter details with location notes
  • backflow test certificate.

* The as-built plan will have to comply with our Environmental Engineering Standards. Relocation works must show the location of decommissioned connection in the as-built as well as the location of new connection.

You will need the PU number which is shown on your approval letter. >

Upload final documents online

Water meter only

Step 1.Check your property 

Before any work is started on-site, please check to confirm that your property is already connected to the Council's water network.

We can assist with checking your property, help with the application process and any enquiries. You can contact us online or by phone.

Enquire online 

Phone: 09 430 4200 

Step 2.Apply for a water meter

If a domestic water connection is already in place, you may need to apply for a water meter only. This application form is for domestic 20mm water connections only.

Fast Track Water Meter application(PDF, 707KB) 

Step 3.Send to us

Submit the completed application form along with supporting documentation to:

By email:  mailroom@wdc.govt.nz

By post:

Whangarei District Council 
Private Bag 9023
Te Mai
Whangārei 0143

In-person:

Te Iwitahi
9 Rust Avenue, Whangārei
Hours:  Monday to Friday - 8:00am to 4:30pm
Closed public holidays

Ruakākā service centre 
9 Takutai Place, Ruakākā
Hours:  Monday to Friday - 8:30am to 4:00pm
Closed public holidays

Service centre at isite
92 Otaika Road, Raumanga
Hours: Monday to Friday - 9:00am to 12:00pm and 12:30pm to 4:30pm
Closed public holidays

Step 4.Assessment

We will assess your application and if approved, our Council registered contractor will carry out the required work.

Step 5.Pay fee 

Fees will be charged after the work is carried out and an invoice will be sent to you.

The invoice will be based on what work is carried out.  You can view the fees and charges below. 

Water fees and charges

You can pay the invoice either online, in-person at one of our Customer Service centres or by phone.

Pay an application fee or invoice

We approve contractors who carry out work on our water supply system. There are two types of approved contractors.

Registered contractor

  • Can construct or modify new water reticulation (including reticulation that will be transferred to Council ownership).
  • They may not make connections to live mains or do maintenance, install a water meter or carry out shut downs of live water reticulation.

List of registered contractors(PDF, 144KB)

Licensed contractor

  • Can do everything a registered contractor can do AND carry out work on live mains, including connections to the live reticulation.

List of licensed contractors(PDF, 143KB)

Backflow prevention devices stop contaminated liquids entering the water supply system.

Commercial or industrial

All water for commercial or industrial purposes must have a testable backflow prevention device installed at the property boundary.

Residential

Residential properties must have a testable backflow prevention device at the property boundary if they have:

  • an alternative water supply
  • swimming pool
  • spa
  • irrigation system.

Domestic connections without the above have non-testable devices installed with the meter.

Backflow Prevention Policy and Code of Practice