Rural firefighting water supply requirements

Reviewed 2026-09-09

If you are building a rural dwelling in New Zealand, your council may require you to provide a dedicated firefighting water supply as a condition of your building consent. This is separate from your household rainwater storage and is intended to give firefighters a reliable source of water in an emergency.

This guide explains how a firefighting reserve works, why councils require one, and what you need to know if your consent includes this condition.

Why councils require a firefighting reserve

In rural areas, there is often no reticulated water supply or fire hydrant nearby. If a fire breaks out, firefighters need a reliable source of water to fight it. A dedicated firefighting reserve is a volume of water that is set aside specifically for firefighting and is not used for household purposes.

The reserve is typically required as a condition of building consent for rural dwellings, particularly those that are:

Located in areas with no nearby reticulated water supply or fire hydrant.
In areas with a high risk of bushfire or other fire hazards.
In areas where the nearest water source is a significant distance away.

The exact requirements vary from council to council, and some councils may not require a firefighting reserve at all if there is a nearby water source or fire hydrant.

VERIFY: the specific conditions under which your council requires a firefighting reserve, the typical required volume, and whether any standard or FENZ guidance specifies a minimum volume — check your local council’s district plan or building consent requirements, and FENZ guidance on rural firefighting water supply, before stating a specific figure or rule.

How a firefighting reserve works

A firefighting reserve is a dedicated volume of water that is stored separately from your household water supply. It can be provided in several ways:

A separate tank — a dedicated tank that is not connected to your household water supply. The tank is filled with water and is only used for firefighting.
A dedicated section of a larger tank — if you have a large tank, a portion of it can be set aside as a firefighting reserve. The reserve section is not connected to your household water supply and is only used for firefighting.
A natural water source — in some cases, a nearby pond, dam, or stream may be accepted as a firefighting water source, provided it is reliable and accessible to firefighters.

The key point is that the firefighting reserve is not part of your household water supply. It is set aside specifically for firefighting and is not used for drinking, cooking, or other household purposes.

Sizing the reserve

The size of the firefighting reserve depends on your council’s requirements and the risk profile of your property. A larger reserve provides more water for firefighting, but it also costs more to install and maintain.

VERIFY: the typical required volume of a firefighting reserve for a rural dwelling, and whether any standard or council guidance specifies a minimum volume — check your local council’s district plan or building consent requirements, and FENZ guidance on rural firefighting water supply, before stating a specific figure.

As a general rule, the reserve should be large enough to provide a meaningful volume of water for firefighting, but the exact size will depend on your council’s requirements. If you are unsure, ask your council for the specific volume they require for your property.

How the reserve is accessed

Firefighters need to be able to access the firefighting reserve quickly in an emergency. The reserve should be:

Clearly marked — so that firefighters can identify it easily.
Accessible — there should be a clear path to the reserve, and it should not be blocked by vegetation, fences, or other obstacles.
Equipped with a connection point — the reserve should have a connection point that firefighters can use to connect their equipment. This is typically a fire department connection (FDC) or a similar fitting.

The exact requirements for access and connection will depend on your council’s specifications. If your consent includes a firefighting reserve, your council will typically provide details of what is required.

Maintenance

A firefighting reserve needs to be maintained so that it is ready to use in an emergency. This includes:

Keeping the reserve full — the reserve should be kept at the required volume at all times. If it is a tank, it should be filled with water and not allowed to run dry.
Checking the connection point — the connection point should be inspected regularly to make sure it is in good working order and not blocked or damaged.
Keeping the area clear — the area around the reserve should be kept clear of vegetation, debris, and other obstacles so that firefighters can access it quickly.

If you are responsible for maintaining the firefighting reserve, you should check it regularly and make sure it is ready to use. If you notice any problems, such as a leak or a blocked connection, you should fix them as soon as possible.

How the reserve relates to your household storage

The firefighting reserve is separate from your household rainwater storage. You will typically have:

A household tank — this is the tank that supplies water for your household use, such as drinking, cooking, and washing.
A firefighting reserve — this is a separate volume of water that is set aside for firefighting and is not used for household purposes.

The two systems are independent. The firefighting reserve does not draw from your household tank, and your household tank does not draw from the firefighting reserve. This ensures that the firefighting reserve is always available in an emergency, even if your household tank is empty.

If you are installing a new rainwater system, you may be able to design it so that the firefighting reserve is a dedicated section of a larger tank, or a separate tank altogether. The exact design will depend on your council’s requirements and the layout of your property.

If your building consent includes a condition requiring a firefighting reserve, you will need to:

Check the specific requirements — your council will typically specify the required volume, the type of storage, and the access requirements. Read the condition carefully and make sure you understand what is required.
Design the reserve — work with your builder or plumber to design a firefighting reserve that meets the council’s requirements. This may involve installing a separate tank or setting aside a section of a larger tank.
Install the reserve — have the reserve installed as part of your building work. Make sure it is clearly marked and accessible.
Get it inspected — your council may require an inspection of the firefighting reserve before they sign off on your building work. Make sure the reserve is ready for inspection.
Maintain the reserve — once the reserve is installed, you are responsible for maintaining it. Keep it full, check the connection point regularly, and keep the area clear.

If you are unsure about any of these steps, ask your council for guidance. They can tell you exactly what is required and how to meet the condition.

Summary

A firefighting reserve is a dedicated volume of water that is set aside for firefighting and is separate from your household water supply.
Councils may require a firefighting reserve as a condition of building consent for rural dwellings, particularly in areas with no nearby reticulated water supply or fire hydrant.
The reserve can be provided as a separate tank, a dedicated section of a larger tank, or a natural water source.
The reserve must be clearly marked, accessible, and equipped with a connection point for firefighters.
The reserve must be maintained so that it is ready to use in an emergency.
The specific requirements vary from council to council, so check with your local council for the details.