Abstract
While urban areas benefit from treated and regulated public water supplies, rural communities often depend on untreated sources like wells, boreholes, and rainwater. Access to clean drinking water is essential for health, yet many New Zealanders who rely on private water sources face a higher risk of waterborne diseases such as Campylobacter infection. This Briefing outlines our recently published findings showing the elevated risks for those using private water supplies, particularly in areas with a higher density of dairy farming. These findings support regulatory action to protect those at higher risk of campylobacteriosis in rural areas, notably extending the National Environmental Standards for sources of Drinking Water to include private supplies.