We’ve launched a new online e-document version of the Regional Infrastructure Technical Specifications (RITS), giving users an easier way to access and navigate the specifications.
Rather than downloading and working through the full PDF, the new e-document works more like a website, making it quicker and easier to move through RITS and find the information you need.
The new format offers:
The downloadable PDF version is still available, so you can continue to use RITS in whichever format works best for you.
*NOTE: Once a document has been downloaded, Co-Lab cannot control or update that copy. Users are responsible for ensuring they are using the most current version.
The Regional Infrastructure Technical Specification (RITS) is a document that sets out how to design and construct transportation, water supply, wastewater, stormwater, and landscape infrastructure across participating councils’ areas. It also includes earthworks and geotechnical requirements, as well as an acceptable products section.
Before RITS, each council had its own infrastructure technical specification, resulting in differing standards across the Waikato region. In 2016, Co-Lab took ownership of creating a regional document to provide a single guide and standard specifications for building public infrastructure. Today, the RITS is used by nine participating councils in the Waikato region.
By Councils: When setting up contracts for transportation works, three waters, and landscaping, councils refer to RITS to define specifications and standards that contractors must meet. This ensures certainty about materials (e.g., pipe types) and construction standards.
By Developers: Developers providing infrastructure in subdivisions or developments can use RITS to meet council resource consent conditions. It offers a standardised approach that reduces cost and effort for developers and their consultants.
While alternative solutions can still be proposed, they require additional supporting information, which may increase review time and costs.
A bi-annual review process ensures that the document remains up-to-date with current standards and practices.
The government’s Local Water Done Well legislation is now operational. Taumata Arowai (Water Services Authority) is developing standardised performance-based requirements for their upcoming Code of Practice (CoP). This CoP will be based on the draft National Engineering Design Standards (NEDS) developed by the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) under the former government’s Affordable Water (Three Waters) programme.
Once these performance-based requirements are released, the RITS will be reviewed and updated if necessary to ensure full compliance.
We’re committed to improving the RITS document. Click the link below to share your thoughts through the feedback form.
