Water tanks back in store this week in Wellington
Monday, 8 January 2024
Wellington water tank supplies are back in stock this week after a pre-Christmas warning of possible water shortages was promptly followed by a tank supply issue.
Wellington Region Emergency Management Office (Wremo) regional manager Jeremy Holmes warned before Christmas of tight summer water restrictions and possible disruption to supply.
“We encourage everyone to take the risk of a water shortage seriously and take time over the holiday break to store or replenish their emergency water supplies,“ Holmes said.
But within days, council water tank supplies around Wellington were running out or low. In one day following the warning, Wellington’s tip shop, which sells rainwater tanks for the council, sold all 90 tanks it had within three hours.
Wellington City Council spokesperson Richard MacLean said a shipment of 70 tanks, each of them 200 litres, was expected at the Tip Shop about midday on Tuesday.
“We’ve been bombarded by callers and our message is to please be patient,” he said.
“Now the Christmas break is over we’ll have regular supplies of the tanks delivered.”
Likewise, a statement from Hutt City Council said there had been “significant” interest in tanks and a fresh delivery was due on Thursday or Friday, with regular deliveries from then on.
A statement from Porirua City Council said it had 24 tanks currently available with 96 more due next week.
The Tank Guy in Feilding supplies tanks to councils, and owner Gary King said getting all the equipment needed for the full tank set ups had been “an exercise” but he was confident he could keep up with demand.
Wellington region councils have a deal with The Tank Guy, meaning a 200 litre $265 tank can be bought for $115.
The looming water issues are widely attributed to decades of under investment in pipes, some more than than 100 years old. There are already restrictions on watering gardens and Wellington Water is warning the risk of water shortage this summer “is real”.
“Our wai (water) can run dry,” Wellington Water’s website says.