New consent conditions combined with a forecasted hot summer have resulted in District-wide odds and evens water restrictions being introduced on Monday 12 February.
The restrictions mean all unattended hoses, sprinklers and irrigation systems are banned.
Hand-held hoses may be used early in the morning or in the evening on the odds and evens system (at even-numbered houses on even calendar dates, and odd numbered houses on odd calendar dates).
South Taranaki District Council group manager infrastructure services Herbert Denton says that as part of new Taranaki Regional Council consent conditions, if rivers where we take water from, drop to a certain level, we must introduce water restrictions.
These new consent conditions are part of the government’s freshwater reforms which have a greater focus on preserving the health and vitality of our streams and rivers.
“We are now in the position of needing to implement this to ensure that we have enough drinking water to go around, protect the health of our streams and rivers and respect the principles of Te Mana o te Wai,” says Denton. “Residents need to limit non-essential water use wherever possible and help us by looking for, and fixing, any leaks on your property or farm. All water savings can make a difference.”
“We need to appreciate that this is the new normal, not just for South Taranaki but the whole of New Zealand,” says Denton.
The restrictions will be in place until further notice.
Ways to help conserve water include:
- Avoid watering your lawns
- Choose taking a shower over a bath, but make them short
- Fix any leaks and dripping taps
- Use full loads to wash your clothes and dishes
- Reduce how often you wash your cars and boats
- Do not hose down driveways or buildings
- Report any leaks on the public system to Council so we can have them fixed, phone 0800111323
You can also click here for easy tips and tricks of how you can conserve water in the home and garden.
