Extreme water alerts in forecast as hot, dry summer continues

Friday, 7 February 2020

Hamilton and Waipā are close to following Thames-Coromandel in declaring a total watering ban as the Waitangi Day long weekend drives up H20 consumption.

Councils are trying to contact those holidaying or attending events in Waikato, asking visitors to be mindful of the low water levels.

Hamilton City Council recorded its second highest water consumption figures on February 5 - 87 million litres in one day - which forced it to move to water alert three for the first time in seven years.

A move to water alert level 4, no outdoor water use of any kind, is on the cards for parts of the Waipā district, including Te Awamutu, Pirongia and Ōhaupō.

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The council plans to review the situation on Monday. Water restrictions for Cambridge are likely for the first time this summer.

Waipā District Council's chief executive Garry Dyet said the district needed three-to-four days of steady rainfall, along with better water conservation efforts from people.

Events such as the Six60 concert at Mystery Creek on Saturday would likely draw more visitors into Waipā and Hamilton, putting pressure on water supply.

Mystery Creek is fed water from the Waikato River, not Te Awamutu, but the council had offered support and advice on water conservation.

Te Tahi Reservoir, which supplies water to Te Awamutu, is extremely low. The high water mark in this picture demonstrates where the reservoir's water level would normally be.

The council also expect water use to spike on Sunday when people return home from the long weekend.

Dyet said the last significant rainfall was over six weeks ago. The Mangauika Stream on Mt Pirongia which supplies Te Awamutu, was running extremely low.

'Water is a finite, precious resource and it takes quite a journey from river to tap,' he said.

The Mangauika Stream supplies the reservoir with water.

'It takes 12 hours to convert it to drinking water so we need to be mindful how we use it, particularly in summer.'

Improving the water supply to Te Awamutu is a priority for the council. The town's population was set to increase which would in turn increase water demand.

The council is now constructing a new 2km pipeline on Cambridge Rd to source water from the Waikato River.

An aerial view of the Te Tahi Water Treatment Plant, near Mt Pirongia. The water is treated and piped to the Te Awamutu water supply.

It will connect Te Awamutu to the Pukerimu water scheme, which supplies rural homes between Te Awamutu and Cambridge, Hamilton Airport, Ōhaupō and Mystery Creek.

Overall the council plans to install 6km of new water pipeline along roads between Cambridge and Te Awamutu, causing some traffic disruptions at times, the council said.

The new water supply was expected to be operational in mid-2021 and was part of a bigger plan to improve water infrastructure across the district.

Other districts on water alert level 3 included Matamata-Piako, parts of Waikato district (Tamahere, Matangi, Gordonton,Tauwhare Tamahere, and Newstead/Eureka) and parts of South Waikato (Putāruru and Arapuni).

'Our team has noted (Putāruru and Arapuni) exceeding the trigger levels over the past week and with the possibility of further dry spells expected, we kindly ask residents to be diligent with their water usage,' South Waikato District Council said in a statement.

Waitomo was on alert level 2 and Taupo on level 1. Ōtorohanga and Rotorua had no restrictions but asked people to conserve water.

Rotorua Lakes Council water services manager Eric Cawte said Eastern and Hamurana/Kaharoa water supplies had recorded increased water consumption.

'In spite of Rotorua having reliable water sources to draw from, if usage gets too high, it can exceed the capacity of our pumps and resource consents to keep the reservoirs topped up.'

He said with no rain forecast, the council wants to remind all consumers to be sensible with water use, reduce wastage and unnecessary use where possible.

'At this stage water restrictions are not planned, however if water usage continues to increase to very high levels, it remains an option to be considered.'

Water alert level system

Level 1: Use sprinkler systems between 6am-8am and 6pm-8pm. Hand-held hosing can be used anytime.

Level 2: Use sprinkler systems on alternate days between 6am-8am and 6pm-8pm. Hand-held hosing can be used anytime.

Level 3: No use of sprinklers. Hand-held hosing only.

Level 4: No use of outside water systems

Tips to save water

Limit showers to four minutes. Pick up a free shower timer from the Te Awamutu/Cambridge council offices.

Complete full loads of laundry and dishwashers.

Catch all extra tap water for outdoor use, especially when you're warming up a shower, catch this in a bucket and put it on the garden, for example.

Check for leaks.

Turn taps off while brushing teeth (use a cup).

Don't wait for the water to go cold before filling a glass at the sink, fill a jug and put it in the fridge.