Council keeps wary eye on water use
Water use over summerwill be carefully watched by Western Bay of Plenty District Council to ensure there is enough for everyone if drought conditions prevail.
Lastsummercouncilwas forced to introduce strict water use restrictions (handheld hoses only) insomeparts of the District as reservoirs dropped under the required minimumlevel for daily demand.
Council’s utilities manager Kelvin Hill saysNIWAhas advised that a hot andhumid summeris forecast, so council’s team will be keeping awatchful eye on the district’s water use— aswill most councils across the country, due to the low winter rainfall.
The La Nina weather pattern this year is anticipated to bring warmer, more humidand hotter temperatures during summer.
Council’s drinking water is sourced from deep underground aquifers in three water zones: Western Zone (Waihi Beach and Katikati), Central Zone (Omokoroa, Te Puna and Minden) and Eastern Zone (Te Puke, Maketu).
Signage to monitor water levels in council’s reservoirs have been put at the entrances to Katikati, Waihi Beach, Athenree, Omokoroa, Maketu, and Te Puke and will serve as a reminder over summerto be careful with water use and conserve wherever possible.
Reservoirs must maintain a constant
50 per centminimum water level to meet the dailydemandsfor drinking water.
“Every yearwehavemore holidaymakers here andwe are expecting evenmorethis year in light of Covid-19 overseas travel restrictions,” says Kelvin.
“Weconsistently promote a strong ‘conserve’ water message and I believe that people generally have a
greater understanding of the importance of careful water use.
“Wehope that by getting the message out early this year about the possibility of adrier summer, our residents will do their bit to conserve water and wewill avoid bringing in restrictions.
“Water is a precious
resource thatweneed to value and use efficiently,” Kelvin says. i