Wellington’s water risk plunges after years of pressure
Monday, 29 September 2025
Wellington’s summer water shortage risk has plunged to under 1%.
The dramatic drop — from the 33% reported two summers ago — is credited to leak reduction efforts and upgrades at the Te Mārua Water Treatment Plant, according to Wellington Water.
Water loss across the Wellington region dropped by 11 million litres a day in July, figures from Wellington Water showed.
“That said, we are still waiting on the seasonal weather forecast from Earth Sciences NZ, which may increase the risk of restrictions if we experience a long, hot and dry summer,” said Wellington Water’s acting chief risk and compliance officer, Erin Ganley.
“Additionally, it’s important to remember that the increased demand over summer from outdoor usage puts pressure on the region’s supply, as we can only treat and supply a set amount of water each day.”
When a report landed on Wellington Water Committee chair Campbell Barry’s desk two years ago showing the region had a 33% chance of a level 4 water restriction, he said it was “a pretty unpalatable situation”.
The issue was put to the elected members of Wellington Water Committee. “Once we all got on board with how serious the issue was, we have been able to see a significant turnaround in the last couple of years but there's still a lot more work to do.”
The lower per cent this year was a result of hard work that was now paying off.
“Councils resourcing Wellington Water properly to ensure we're getting on top of leaks has made a big difference.”
Level 1 water restrictions are now in place across the city for the summer ahead. Households can use sprinklers every other day between 6am to 8am and 7pm to 9pm depending on your address: even-numbered houses on even dates, odd-numbered houses on odd dates.
Gardens can still be watered by hand at any time, provided hoses are not left unattended.
Tips for smarter garden watering
Deep soak: A thorough watering once or twice a week encourages strong root growth and drought resilience.
Direct the flow: Use drippers or directional sprinkler heads to ensure water goes where it’s needed—not on paths or fences.
Mulch your garden: Mulching can reduce evaporation and cut watering needs by up to 70%.
Other simple ways to save water
Find and fix leaky taps.
Scrape plates instead of rinsing.
Turn off taps when brushing teeth.
Take shorter showers.
Choose water-efficient appliances—look for WELS star ratings.