Water

Designing homes to use water efficiently, reduce costs and cope with more frequent droughts or storms.

Statutory requirements

The NZ Building Code clause G12 Water supplies covers the installation of a water supply to every house. It is each homeowner’s responsibility to ensure that potable water is provided for consumption, oral hygiene, utensil washing and food preparation.

A building consent is required if collected rainwater is piped into a house and/or connected to a mains supply system.

Rainwater storage tanks (whether plumbed to the house or not) also require a building consent where they:

  • exceed 2,000 litres capacity and are supported not more than 2 metres above the ground
  • exceed 500 litres capacity and are supported not more than 4 metres above the ground.