Water Act 2000

The Minister may make a water supply emergency declaration if the Minister is satisfied—

there is a water supply emergency; or

a water supply emergency is developing.

Before making a water supply emergency declaration, the Minister must have regard to other measures, instead of a water supply emergency declaration, that could be taken under this or another Act to deal with the water supply emergency.

The water supply emergency declaration—

has effect from the time it is made by the Minister or the later day stated in the declaration; and

remains in force until the earlier of the following—

the commencement of a regulation dealing with the matters mentioned in the declaration;

the end of 20 business days after the declaration takes effect.

As soon as possible after making a water supply declaration, the Minister must give a copy of the declaration to each service provider to which the declaration applies.

As soon as practicable after making a water supply declaration, the Minister must publish a copy of the declaration in the gazette.