‘Turn tap off ’ Auckland’s bid for more water

Waipa¯ District Council wants the tap turned off Auckland’s bid to take more water from the Waikato River.

Watercare Services wants an additional 150 million litres per day, for a total take of 300 million litres per day, for Auckland Council to distribute to its residents. But if approved, Waipa¯ District Council said it could affect its ability to provide enough water for its own population growth through the next 50 years.

The Government appointed a Board of Inquiry to hear Watercare’s resource consent application to take more water from the Waikato River.

Waipa¯ District Council met yesterday to review its submission to the board, which asked for Watercare’s application to be declined.

The council’s manager of water services Martin Mould’s report said Waipa¯ was granted a 30-year consent to take 45 million litres per day from the Waikato River.

‘‘However, it is clear that after 2049 a renewed consent will be required which will need to extend the allocation beyond [45 million litres per day].’’

Waipa¯ supplies water to 56,200 residents but the district’s population continues to grow beyond expectations and securing water looms as a problem. The main concern was the possibility of the Waikato River becoming over allocated.

‘‘This will frustrate growth, and adversely impact both the Waipa¯ community, and the wider region, which in turn impacts the national interests.’’

If Watercare’s application had to be approved, it should be for 20 years only, and be subjected to a tough reporting regime to the Waikato Regional Council. Watercare should show what efforts it is making to secure alternative water sources to reduce its reliance on the Waikato River, Mould’s report said.

Waipa¯ District Council’s chief executive Gary Dyet said Waipa¯ had worked closely with Hamilton City Council to make a submission to the board. But some councillors were not impressed with Hamilton and Auckland’s lack of water conservation measures to reduce their reliance on the Waikato River.

‘‘Auckland doesn’t undertake any large scale water saving measures,’’ councillor Clare St Pierre said. ‘‘The way they have structured things it’s been a mission for anyone to put in their own rainwater tanks which would have quite a few different benefits.’’ She thought pushing water measures should be in the Waipa¯ submission to the Board of Inquiry.