Auckland water shortage: No change in water consumption despite calls to cut showers

Thursday, 4 July 2019

Aucklanders are yet to curb their water use, despite urgent calls to reduce the city's consumption.

One of the driest January-to-June periods on record has reduced the city’s water storage to 59.2 per cent - 25 per cent less than normal for this time of year

Watercare, the Auckland Council arm responsible for the city's water supply, recorded that water consumption in the region remained unchanged following Tuesday’s media coverage of calls to conserve water.

Head of water value Roseline Klein said she was not disappointed the water consumption rate did not drop as traditionally there was high water demand mid-week.

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Mangatangi Dam in the Hūnua Ranges was particularly low in late June.

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“We would however like to raise awareness about the long-term forecast, which is suggesting a dry end to 2019.'

Watercare expects to receive 50-88 mm of rain in its water storage dams in the Hūnua and Waitākere range following stormy weather conditions today.

But with the exception of heavy rain forecast for next week, this is the only significant rainfall expected for the month of July.

Auckland is looking at a potential rain deficit of 250-375 mm since January and will enter early summer without the historical norm of a winter recharge.

Klein said Aucklanders needed to use water wisely to help the dams recover in time for summer.

'We want people to know that while their individual actions might feel small, they are one of 1.5 million Aucklanders contributing to the city's water consumption every day,” she said.

“If everyone reduced their shower time by a minute, our city would use 18 million litres less water every day.”

Klein said finding and fixing leaks was an effective way to reduce wastage and that Watercare can arrange free water audits for residential customers.

MetService meteorologist Georgina Griffiths said many rain gauges in the Auckland region had observed their driest January-to-June period on record.

How to be waterwise:

- Turn off the tap when brushing your teeth or shaving.

- Try to shower for four minutes or less.

- Wash full loads of laundry whenever possible. This will save water and energy.

- When hand-washing dishes, fill the sink rather than washing the dishes under a running tap.

- Check to make sure your toilet cistern isn't leaking. To do this, put a few drops of food colouring in the cistern. If colouring ends up in the toilet bowl without flushing, you have a leak.

For more tips, visit www.watercare.co.nz.