Call to reduce water use

Water levels are dropping in coastal Taranaki and restrictions could be on the horizon, New Plymouth’s council says. High water use saw Oakura’s storage reservoir drop to 65 per cent last weekend and the town’s second water bore is unavailable, due to possible damage from the Kaiko¯ ura earthquake. In Okato, the levels in Mangatete Stream are nearing the point where a ban will be placed on all outdoor water use. Recent rainfall has not been enough. In a press release New Plymouth District Council chief operating officer Kelvin Wright said last Sunday Oakura residents used a third more than the daily average. ‘‘If residents in Oakura really cut back on how much water they use, we might be able to delay having to ban all outdoor water use while we cross our fingers for heavy rain,’’ he said. Reservoirs must hold 50 per cent of their water in reserve for firefighting purposes. The whole New Plymouth district is under water restrictions, with handheld hoses permitted on the odds and evens address system. The use of sprinklers, irrigation systems and unattended hoses is banned.