Water Restrictions Set for Summer In Central Hawke’s Bay

With a long, hot and dry summer predicted for Central Hawke’s Bay, water restrictions will be put in place across the district from midnight Friday 13 December.

Water restrictions will be set at level two, meaning outdoor watering can take place on alternate days, at limited times only. Residents of odd numbered properties can water their gardens with a hose or sprinkler on odd days of the month, while those occupying even numbered properties can water on even days. Sprinklers can be used for one hour per day only, before 9am and after 5pm. Hand held hoses can be used before 10am and after 4pm but cannot be left running unattended.

“It’s only the start of summer but already we’re seeing residential water usage increasing steadily across the district, paired with low river levels” says Monique Davidson, Chief Executive of Central Hawke’s Bay District Council. “The Council is taking a proactive approach to water conservation, imposing level two restrictions at an early stage to protect our rivers and ensure we don’t reach critically low levels of water further into summer.”

Hawke’s Bay Regional Council continuously monitor environmental water levels across the region and set the amount of water Council’s can draw from rivers and other water sources, accordingly. “The amount of water that Central Hawke’s Bay District Council is permitted to take from Tuki Tuki River has already been reduced this summer and we anticipate further reductions as the hot weather continues” says Ms Davidson. “Water accessibility is a key priority for the Council and by setting water restrictions now, we’re safeguarding water for everyone for the months to come.”

Central Hawke’s Bay District Council is continuously working to conserve water across the district.  Since the start of December, the Council’s leak detection teams have identified both private and public leaks in Otane, Porongahau, Te Paerahi and Takapau with Council leaks deemed high-priority to be repaired before Christmas. “The Council’s Waters team will continue to prioritise leaks in the Waipawa and Waipukurau townships based on water loss. If you have reported a leak and you notice it has worsened, please contact Council so that the priority can be re-assessed” Ms Davidson advises.

Otane has been in level two restrictions since Monday, following extremely low water supply over the weekend. In a game-changing result, the highly anticipated Otane Alternate Water Supply, a second water supply for the township as part of #thebigwaterstory capital works programme, was turned on this week, ahead of schedule. The $2.6m build promises to ease the pressure on the system as demand for water picks up.

“The Otane Alternate Water Supply was a key infrastructure project as part of #thebigwaterstory and we’re proud to be able to deliver this to the people of Otane” says Ms Davidson. “We do ask people to remain diligent in their water conservation efforts however and thank them for their work in this so far.”

For further details on water restrictions and what these mean, please see: https://www.chbdc.govt.nz/services/water/water-restrictions/

For tips on how you can save water at home, please see: https://www.chbdc.govt.nz/services/water/using-water/

18 December 2019

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