Level 2 water restrictions coming to Far North
Four council water supplies will have Level 2 water restrictions applied from next Monday (19 February) as a precautionary measure to reduce demand and protect our water sources.
Four council water supplies will have Level 2 water restrictions applied from next Monday (19 February) as a precautionary measure to reduce demand and protect our water sources.
The ban on outdoor sprinklers or irrigation systems will affect Kerikeri-Waipapa, Kaikohe-Ngāwhā, Paihia-Ōpua-Waitangi and Ōpononi-Ōmāpere. Water restriction levels for the remaining four Far North water sources will be reviewed in the next seven days. Ōmanaia-Rāwene had Level 2 restrictions applied last month to help preserve the Petaka Stream and this will remain unchanged for now.
The water restrictions are a response to high summer temperatures which have seen Northland characterised as ‘dry’ in a recent Drought Risk Assessment report by Northland Regional Council based on information from the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA Taihoro Nukurangi).
The decision also took into account that several council-operated water treatment plants are now operating round-the-clock to meet high water consumption; an anticipated drop in demand following Waitangi Day celebrations had not occurred; and that no substantial rainfall is forecast for the next few weeks.
From Monday, Far North residents will also begin to see the large Save Water Now signs being installed in key locations around Kerikeri, Kaikohe and Paihia. Billboards at Ōpononi and Ōmāpere, displaying the Be Water Wise water glass image (pictured below), will also be changed to Level 2 early next week.
Ōkaihau, Kaitāia and Kawakawa-Moerewa are currently at Level 1, where there is no limit to water use but customers should always use water sensibly.
The council’s Water Shortage Management Committee will continue to monitor demand on water sources and will meet in seven days to review the status of all eight Far North water sources.
You can download our Save Water This Summer poster here
Main photo – ‘Save Water Now’ signs will be displayed around Kerikeri, Kaikohe and Paihia from next Monday.
Photo below - billboards at Ōpononi and Ōmāpere, will change from Level 1 on Monday.
Photo below – Drought Index from NIWA Taihoro Nukurangi for February 2024.
