Restrictions may ease

Auckland: Residents in Auckland will be able to water their gardens, wash their cars and use water blasters once again if Auckland councillors approve the relaxation of water restrictions tomorrow.

Based on advice from Watercare, council officers believe there is sufficient water and projected rainfall heading into summer to ease restrictions following one of the worst droughts in the city’s history.

They are recommending households can use an outdoor hose or water blaster with a trigger nozzle from December 14. However, the ban on sprinklers would remain.

A report going to the council’s governing body tomorrow said there had been no runaway demand as a result of the easing of commercial water restrictions.