Water restrictions for Omania and Rawene

The Far North District Council imposed Level 4 water restrictions at OmanaiaRawene on Thursday, limiting water use to drinking, cooking, showering and washing clothes. All outdoor water use is banned.

General manager infrastructure and asset management Andy Finch said Ra¯wene and Omanaia residents had reduced consumption by 17 per cent, but greater savings were essential.

The Petaka Stream had been badly affected by the drought, and without significant rainfall soon the council might have to stop taking water from it, he said. The council was working with Civil Defence to ensure residents would have access to emergency water supplies.

Two 30,000-litre water tanks were delivered to Ra¯wene on Thursday for the public car park at Russell Esplanade, and would be filled with water from Whanga¯ rei.

“Just as in Kaikohe and Kaitaia, these tanks are part of our contingency planning,” Mr Finch said. “We have not run out of water yet, and residents should not panic. However, all households and businesses need to immediately reduce water consumption by 25 per cent if we are to delay or avoid the need to use these tanks.”

Kaikohe and Okaihau ¯ had reduced consumption by 31 per cent, proving that the 25 per cent target was achievable.

“Households and businesses can make significant savings by flushing less, showering shorter, washing full loads and turning taps off,” he added.

The restriction in Kerikeri and Waipapa was lifted from Level 2 to Level 3 on Friday, making it illegal to water gardens or lawns with sprinklers, irrigation systems or hand-held hoses. Using open hoses, trigger-nozzle hoses or water blasters to wash vehicles, windows, buildings or paved areas is also banned, as is filling private swimming pools.

Mr Finch said the Waingaro reservoir, operated by the Kerikeri Irrigation Company, usually provided 65 per cent of Kerikeri’s water, the rest coming from the Puketotara Stream.

“Water levels in the Waingaro are well down on normal, and we may soon have to draw from deeper in the reservoir,” he said.

“Unfortunately this water is oxygenpoor, and requires more treatment. This will force us to rely more heavily on the Puketotara Stream, which is already nearing the limits .”

All businesses and households connected to the council supply were asked to reduce consumption by 25 per cent..

Anyone who saw breaches of water restrictions should report them by calling 0800 920-029 or via www.fndc.govt.nz/contact, while the council was stepping up checks when unusual water use was detected. Anyone who repeatedly ignored restrictions could be fined up to $20,000.