Auckland water shortage: Storage dams remain lower than last year

Tuesday, 20 August 2019

The driftwood tide mark is visible at the Upper Mangatawhiri Dam, Hunua Ranges, which shows the normal level of the dam for mid-winter.

Aucklanders continue to be urged to conserve water, as concerns grow about the region's shortfall.

It comes just one month after the city seemingly failed to heed a call to save water following one of the driest January to June periods on record.

Watercare said despite regular rainfall throughout August, the region's storage dams were still low compared to the same time last year.

The water company is responsible for the city's water supply, which it sources from dams, rivers and aquifers.

* Auckland water use rises despite call for savings**

Watercare spokeswoman Maxine Clayton said dams in the Hunua and Waitakere ranges had received about 30 per cent less rainfall than normal.

So far this year the dams had only received 793mm of rain compared to their normal 1130mm.

Auckland's dams are much lower than what is normal for this time of year.

'We are maximising output from the western dams in the Waitakere Ranges, to ease pressure of the southern dams in the Hunua Ranges, which supply most of Auckland.'

With weather forecasts indicating September would provide normal rain levels and with daylight saving approaching, Clayton said Watercare remained concerned.

She said demand traditionally increased during daylight saving as Aucklanders took on more outdoor activities.

'We'd like Aucklanders to please continue to be mindful about avoiding wasting water,' Clayton said.

'It's a precious resource and should be treated as such.'

Apart from a brief storm disruption to supplies in 2017, the call to save water in July was the first since Auckland's 1994 water crisis.

Then, following a dry 1993 and summer of 1994, the region's supplies fell to 36 per cent, before solid rain averted rationing.

That crisis prompted the building of a pipeline taking water from the Waikato River.

The spillway at the Upper Mangatawhiri Dam, Hunua Ranges, is visible. It is usually sitting just above or on top of the water at this time of year.

Climate forecaster NIWA is expecting there to be regular rainfall in early September and for it to be in a 'near normal' trend for spring.

Forecaster Ben Noll said Auckland was 'doing alright' for rainfall in August, receiving 112mm of rain so far, with an average of 111mm.

Clayton said one of the easiest ways to reduce wastage was to find and fix leaks.

'Other measures such as reducing a shower by one minute can save Auckland 18 million litres of water per day,' said Clayton.

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.