Careful water-use still needed despite recent rains

Recent rainfall across the Far North – although welcome – hasn’t been enough to ease pressure on local water supplies this summer.

Rain showers over the holiday period have been ‘short and sharp’ so any gains provided to river levels have quickly dropped away. Demand, however, has been steadily increasing in many parts of the Far North especially at tourism ‘hot spots’ like the Hokianga, Paihia, Waitangi and Ōpua.

Level 2 water restrictions were applied to Ōmanaia–Rāwene and Ōpononi–Ōmāpere on Monday 29 December to protect water supplies to those communities. Streams supplying those towns are vulnerable to dry weather and can fluctuate dramatically after rainfall. Level 2 restrictions ban the use outdoor sprinklers and irrigation systems.

The council’s remaining six water supplies are currently at Level 1, which allows for normal water use but requests that everyone use water sensibly.

Residents and manuhiri (visitors) are asked to play a part in protecting our water sources by reducing demand now through unnecessary water use to avoid further restrictions being applied.

Small, everyday actions can make a big difference to water consumption, such as:

• turning the tap off while brushing teeth
• keeping showers short
• only running washing machines and dishwashers with full loads
• avoiding unnecessary outdoor water use.

The council’s Water Shortage Management Committee is meeting weekly to closely monitor water supplies across the district and will apply restrictions to areas where risks are emerging to help protect this precious taonga through the summer.