From 1 July 2026, your drinking water and wastewater services will be delivered by IAWAI – Flowing Waters Ltd. IAWAI is a company 100% owned by Hamilton City Council and Waikato District Council to deliver water services more efficiently than councils can on their own.
During IAWAI’s public consultation on its Water Services Strategy, almost 80% of respondents supported a ‘growth pays for growth’ approach for new development, moving some of the burden of growth costs from existing ratepayers.
As part of that wider plan, the strategy introduces a new charge on new dwellings as a contribution to the costs of growth.
The combined waters growth charges, of $500 for a new dwelling ($200 for water supply and $300 for wastewater) and $250 for a new secondary minor dwelling – or ‘granny flat’ – will be applied to the property as an ongoing annual charge for 25 years from the time building is complete.
• Proposed waters growth charges for non-residential developments will not be applied this year.
• Waters growth charges for new papakaainga housing will be waived in the first year.
• IAWAI will further engage with relevant stakeholders and consider the above matters before next year’s Water Services Strategy consultation.
Growth charges only apply to new buildings where the consent application is lodged on or after 1 July 2026, or in relation to connections required for consent-exempt buildings on or after 1 July 2026.
Where redevelopment occurs the growth charges only apply to the net increase in demand.
Click here for New Waters Growth Charge FAQ.
Click here for New Waters Growth Charge FAQ.
IAWAI Fees and Charges
From 1 July 2026, the fees and charges for water services from our shareholder councils will be combined into one single IAWAI fees and charges schedule. This also includes what was water-related targeted rates.
Drinking water and wastewater fees and charges will be managed by IAWAI. Stormwater charges will stay as part of council rates.
Where possible, water and wastewater related fees based on hourly rates or for specific connection or consent related activities have been standardised, so Hamilton and Waikato customers are charged the same fees for the same activity or service.
Overall, the changes are about bringing everything into one clear, consistent system across both council areas.
