What Hastings District Council says
| The council's rule | Who to contact | |
|---|---|---|
| The toby | It's on council property, typically just over your boundary line. Urban properties are on the council's toby map, and if the map doesn't help, the council will find it for you. | Hastings District Council, (06) 871 5000. |
| A new connection | The connection is the pipe joining your property to the water, sewer or stormwater network. Only the council's underground services contractor may install one. | The council, by application. |
| Backflow device | Every property needs a backflow preventer suited to its risk, installed at the boundary. A low-risk home gets a non-testable dual check valve; the council oversees testing. | The council for the device; a plumber for pipes on your side. |
Hastings facts that change a plumbing job
Water from the aquifer
The council draws water from bores, filters it and treats it with UV at the bores, then adds chlorine so it stays safe through hundreds of kilometres of pipe. It tests the supply daily at about 35 points.
Smart meters on some tobies
2000 council tobies, about 10% of connections, carry smart meters that flag abnormal flows and possible leaks. The council picked the spots and can't fit one on request.
When the stormwater drains overflow
On 9 December 2001, NIWA says, thunderstorms gave the Napier and Hastings city centres an estimated 100-year rainfall. Urban stormwater drains were overwhelmed, and central Hastings and Havelock North had widespread surface flooding.
Many homes aren't owner-occupied
39.3% of Hastings households didn't own their home or hold it in a trust in 2023, against 34% nationally. Tenants should tell the landlord about a leak straight away.
Water Hawke's Bay
Hastings District Council is working with Napier City Council and Central Hawke's Bay District Council on Water Hawke's Bay, which is expected to be fully operational from 1 July 2027. The councils stay responsible until then.
On your side of the toby, check the tradie before work starts. Ask for their PGDB licence, see that it's current and covers the trade, and look up their supervisor too if they have one. Our licence check guide shows where.
Nearby and by job
Havelock North, Napier and the Hawke's Bay region. Jobs: backflow prevention, leak detection, stormwater drains and hot water cylinders.
What we would do
Find your toby on the council's map before you need it, so you can shut the water off fast. If water is leaking at the toby or in the street, that's the council's to look at; ring Hastings District Council. A leak on your section, a new appliance or a blocked drain is a job for a licensed tradie, and if you're building, remember only the council's contractor makes the connection. Tell us the job and a Hastings tradie who specialises in it can take it from there.