Auckland’s water use drops but warned further cuts are needed

Aucklanders have significantly reduced water use but authorities warn further cuts are needed to avoid a major crisis.

On Monday, daily water usage dropped to 411 megalitres — down from 433ML a week ago, a reduction of nearly 10 Olympic-sized swimming pools.

The water savings come as the region introduced restrictions for the first time since 1994, amid the driest start to the year on record with only about a third of the average rainfall dropping to replenish rapidly depleting storage dams.

Stage 1 restrictions are designed to drop overall usage 5 per cent with bans on outdoor water use — such as hoses and water blasters — and calls for all residents and businesses to make voluntary savings.

So far it appears to be working, with the rolling seven-day water use average as of Monday dropping down to 419ML — below the target of 420ML and down from 429ML a week ago.

“These figures are really reassuring and show that Aucklanders are making a conscious effort to reduce their water usage,” a spokeswoman for water supplier Watercare said.

There was also between 30mm and 40mm of rainfall in the Hunua and Waitākere ranges over Sunday and Monday, keeping dam storage levels steady at about 42.9 per cent.

But despite the welcome rain dam levels still dropped nearly a percentage point from a week ago, and Watercare warns more cuts will be needed to avoid a major crisis.

Next month the target for a seven-day rolling average will drop to 410ML.

Stage 2 restrictions are expected to be introduced when the dams hit 40 per cent, and will involve tougher savings requirements on businesses.

Watercare received 120 tipoffs about breaches of restrictions over the weekend, but was taking an “education-first approach” at this stage, and no fines had been issued, the spokeswoman said.

“Our team is calling the commercial customers and emailing residential customers to ensure they are aware of the restrictions.”

Rogue water users can be hit with fines up to $20,000, but Watercare says it will be taking an “education-first approach”.

There were 12 complaints about water misuse on Monday — down from about 50 to 60 a day last week — with more than 450 overall since restrictions came into force on May 16.

The majority of the reports were for businesses using water outdoors but which in fact had been using rain tanks or non-potable water supplies — which is allowed.

“We encourage these businesses to put up signage to acknowledge their support for Auckland’s water-savings efforts and avoid misdirected complaints,” the spokeswoman said