Long dry spell sparks water restrictions
With little rainfall since November, Far North residents face restrictions in order to save water.
The use of sprinklers, unattended garden hoses and automatic irrigation devices are banned for properties connected to Far North District Council water supplies in Kaitaia, Kerikeri-Waipapa, Waitangi-Paihia-Opua, Russell, Kawakawa-Moerewa, KaikoheNgawha and Okaihau.
A council spokesperson says the 9mm of rain that fell in Kerikeri in December was only eight per cent of normal rainfall and the town’s lowest December rainfall since records began in 1935.
A similar ban has been in place for Rawene-Omanaia and Opononi-Omapere supplies since December 1.
FNDC Infrastructure and Asset Manager Jacqui Robson says the restrictions are a necessary precaution to delay the need for more stringent restrictions.
‘‘The district is already very dry and there is a 45 per cent chance of below normal rainfall between now and March. We need to start conserving water now to avoid more serious shortages over the next couple of months.’’
Rural households not connected to water supplies are still asked to conserve water, because bulk water suppliers use council’s community water supplies for their water.
‘‘During dry weather, the volume of water that is taken from these supplies for rural water tanks is significant,’’ Robson says.
‘‘This is happening at a time when they have the least avail- able water, so we are urging everyone to be more thoughtful about how they use water over the next 2-3 months.’’
Failing to comply with the restrictions can result in a fine of up to $20,000.
Kerikeri farmer Mary Phillips says after signing a new contract for their farm on December 1 they have had no rain since.
‘‘This has caused us to buy in feed to keep cows milking, it will hit us financially and decisions are being made to send stock off earlier than planned.
‘‘So now fingers, arms, legs and toes are all crossed we get rain as soon as possible.’’
The water restrictions follow a total fire ban for Northland.
The Far North area was the first to have the ban in place from January 8. Whangarei and Kaipara districts were also included in the ban from January 10.