Water metering
In Waitaha Canterbury, we value our freshwater for drinking, recreation, cultural use and farming, as well as to provide a healthy aquatic habitat within waterways. By measuring and managing water takes, we can look after these resources in a way that protects the environment while sustaining the local economy.
If you have a consent to take 10 litres of water per second (10 l/s) or more, you must measure and record how much water you take in each 15-minute period, and ensure your data provider submits this data to us daily.
From 3 September 2026, this will apply to any consent to take more than five litres per second.
If you have a permit that allows 5 l/s or more to be taken, a water meter needs to be installed at every point of take. This needs to be installed by an approved supplier.
We recommend you use one of the companies on Irrigation New Zealand’s ‘Blue Tick’ accredited service providers directory, as they have suitably qualified staff for one, some or all the services relating to water measurement.
Please get in touch with us to let us know you are installing a water measuring system.
Using qualified service providers
To maintain compliance, it’s key that all water measuring and recording equipment is installed, upgraded or verified by an accredited/suitably qualified service provider, and that water use data is submitted using the correct format and processes. If your service provider isn’t a suitably qualified professional, there’s a risk of failing to meet compliance.
A water service provider will install and maintain this system and ensure that data is submitted daily on your behalf by a suitably qualified data management provider, using our format and process.
You can find Irrigation New Zealand's list of 'Blue Tick' accredited suppliers on the Irrigation NZ website.
Having the right service providers onboard will give you the confidence your water measurement systems are installed, maintained and verified in a way that complies with the requirements of the national regulations and your consent conditions.
Verifying your water meter
Water meters need to be verified to ensure that water abstraction data is accurate to a within a five percent margin of error. This verification is required within the same water year as any new installation, and every five years after.
Water measuring and recording devices need to be verified by a suitably qualified service provider. Your service provider will usually send the updated verification certificate to us, but it is ultimately your responsibility to ensure it is submitted. You can send an updated water meter verification certificate to water.metering@ecan.govt.nz.
Compliance checklist
The following table applies to all water use consents issued since 2020, and to all water use consents to take 10 litres per second or greater:
| Your situation | What action you need to take |
|---|---|
| I have a water use meter and telemetry, which is recording data every 15 minutes and sending to Environment Canterbury's server daily. | Congratulations! You’re correctly measuring and reporting water use. |
| I have a water use meter and telemetry, and I’m recording data at intervals longer than 15 minutes, or not submitting data daily. | You will need to change your recording and reporting frequency. Contact your service provider and ask them to make this change. |
| I have a water use meter and telemetry, but I’m not sure how often it is recording or submitting data. | You may need to change your recording and reporting frequency. Check with your service provider. |
| I have a water meter and I submit data manually. | You will need to install a system that automatically reports data to us. Contact your service provider about your options. |
| I don’t have a meter on my water take, or I am unsure about whether I have a system. | You need to install a meter and telemetry as soon as possible. Contact your service provider about your options. |
Need more help?
Please contact us on 0800 324 636 or via our online form if you need any specific information about the Essential Freshwater regulations and the Canterbury Land and Water Regional Plan rules on water metering.