Fonterra asked to save water

Fonterra and other commercial industries have been asked to pitch in and save water as the Waipa¯ district slips into a late, dry summer.

If the community and commercial water users don’t conserve more, the district could move to water alert level 4 for the first time, which would mean no use of outside water.

Waipa¯ District Council announced it would move the district to alert level 3 yesterday, signalling outdoor water use restrictions for Te Awamutu, Pirongia, Ohaupo and Kaipaki.

Cambridge and Kihikihi did not face restrictions yet because those towns have greater water capacity.

Increased water use during the long, Auckland Anniversary weekend, and dry weather conditions forced the council to jump from alert level 1 to 3. The council’s water services manager, Martin Mould, said the district’s biggest water user was the Fonterra factory at Te Awamutu.

‘‘The council supplies water to Fonterra and when we get to alert level 3, we have an agreement that (the factory) has to reduce their demand for water. They have water conservation measures they can manage on their site.’’

Mould said the council would help other commercial users find ways to save water too.

There were some farming operations connected to district water supply and he understood the challenges they faced to save water.

Dairy farmers were already working to water consent restrictions, he said. Water was critical to keep dairy sheds clean after each milking time and to keep animals hydrated.

The council had recorded an increase of water taste and odour complaints, triggered by low stream and dam levels, Mould said.

‘‘Algae is a naturally occurring organism found in fresh water which can become abundant when there are periods of high sunlight and low turnover, such as the conditions we have now.’’

Staff were monitoring water levels and water use twice a day, particularly the Te Awamutu and Pukerimu water schemes, to hopefully see a drop in demand over the next week.

‘‘We really need rain to top up the water supply and obviously we need to encourage people to use less water. If things don’t get significant water saving over the next two or three weeks, we would have to look at going to alert level 4, which we have never done before.’’

The MetService seven-day forecast for Te Awamutu showed temperatures around 27-29C, with a few showers towards the end of the period.

Water alert level 3 restricts outdoor water use for residential, commercial and non-residential properties, including reserves and sport facilities.

Hand-held hosing is still allowed but no sprinkler use is permitted.

Mould said water alert levels were normally triggered in December. Cambridge had water meters installed about two years ago which had contributed to 15 to 30 per cent reduction in water use across the year.

But he said it was Cambridge’s larger water supply, rather than meters, which had sustained the town over the recent weeks of high water demand.

Long term, the council is installing a new bulk water main along Cambridge Rd to provide additional water supply for Te Awamutu and Pukerimu water schemes.

Hamilton City Council was at water alert level 2 along with parts of Waikato district, Tauwhare, Gordonton and Matangi who source their water from Hamilton.

Waipa¯ District Council had developed an online tool for Waipa¯ residents to check what water alert level applies to their property. People could also find tips to reduce water use via the Smart Water website.