More water restrictions in Levin and O¯ hau

Further water restrictions have been put in place in Levin and O¯ hau.

Horowhenua District Council water services engineer Levaai Toremana said level-two water restrictions had become a necessity due to decreased flows in the O¯ hau River, which is the source of Levin and O¯ hau’s water supply, and high demand for water.

The restrictions took effect from yesterday and will apply until further notice.

The restrictions mean sprinkler hoses and soaker hoses cannot be used. Handheld hose use is still permitted, but only from 5am to 7am and 7pm to 9pm on alternate days – even street numbers on even dates, and odd street numbers on odd dates.

‘‘There are some simple things you can do to conserve water at home, such as turning off the tap while brushing your teeth or shaving, checking for leaks on your property, sweeping up garden waste rather than hosing it away, doing only full loads in the washing machine or dishwasher, and taking shorter showers,’’ Toremana said.

Filling newly constructed swimming pools is also prohibited.

Existing swimming pools and spas can only be topped up with a garden hose on Wednesdays between 6am and 8am, or 5pm and 7pm.

Meanwhile, in Palmerston North, residents are being told if they use water wisely, the city might escape the summer without hosing restrictions.

Chief infrastructure officer Tom Williams said rainfall in recent weeks was minimal and the water level at the Turitea dam, where two-thirds of the city’s water comes from, had started to drop.