Water saving target set

Kaitaia residents and commercial water users are being asked to voluntarily reduce their use of water by 20% to avoid the prospect of regulatory restrictions which could include water rationing.

The campaign has been mounted in the wake of deepening drought conditions which are threatening the Far North District Council's ability to take water from the Awanui River.

River flows last week dropped below the "allowable take" level and a total ban has been placed on the use of hoses and all forms of garden irrigation systems as an emergency measure.

"We have to get the demand for water down. There is simply not enough water in the river to maintain existing levels of use," Infrastructure and Asset General Manager David Penny said today.

Last week the demand for water peaked at over 3700 cubic metres a day with the average daily water take for the week at over 3300 cubic metres.

"With the Kauri Dam contaminated by an algae bloom and no other raw water sources available other than the Okahu Stream, further restrictions are inevitable unless the community can make voluntary savings," he said.

An education campaign urging water conservation has been initiated through local schools, voluntary reduction targets are being introduced, service stations are being asked to close car washing facilities and direct approaches will be made to bulk water users seeking their cooperation in achieving the 20% water use reduction guideline. Restrictions are being imposed on the times bulk water delivery companies can access filling stations.

"Commercial water users could face production problems but the alternatives of compulsory restrictions or rationing will have an even greater impact. Our first responsibility is to maintain sufficient flows of water in the network to protect public health.

"We would urge all sectors of the community to take up the water conservation challenge and help us work through this very difficult period," he said.

 
 
SAVING WATER

Some cost free tips to save water – more are available on the council’s website: www.fndc.govt.nz

Water Saving Tips Around the Home

In the bathroom

• Turn off the tap while brushing your teeth or shaving.
• Use less water in the bath and take shorter showers. A bath can use up to 80 litres of water, while a shower uses less than half that.
• Install a water-saving shower head. These are stocked by plumbing suppliers and some hardware stores, and can halve the amount of water you use in the shower.
• Install dual flush toilet cisterns or put a weight (like a half-full lemonade bottle or half a brick) in the cistern to reduce the quantity of water that flushes.
• Flush less often.

In the laundry

• Wait until you have a full load or make sure you set the machine for smaller loads. A full washing machine uses about 150 litres of water for one cycle.

In the kitchen

• Store a bottle of drinking water in the fridge to help avoid running more water than you need for a glass of water.
• Put the plug in the sink when washing vegetables and avoid running the tap.
• Use the dishwasher for full loads only. Each load uses 60 litres of water.
• Look for the AAA Water Conservation rating when purchasing new appliances.

Stop those leaks!

• Leaks waste water 24 hours a day, seven days a week. A dripping tap can waste up to 3600 litres a year – that’s more than a full bath a week.
• Check taps and pipes for leaks. If you have a header tank in your house make sure the plumbing is kept in good repair. Don’t let the header tank overflow.
• Check your toilet flushing system and the overflow pipe on the outside wall for leaks.
• Check your hot water cylinder overflow pipe (on the roof.) If the ajax valve isn’t working properly, the cylinder will leak hot water – a waste of both water and electricity.

In the garden

• Mulch your garden with grass clippings or compost. Mulching can prevent up to 70% of water loss through evaporation. The best mulch is well rotted compost which will also improve the soil’s ability to hold moisture.
• Grey water from baths, showers, sinks and washing machines can be used for watering the garden. This water also contains nutrients that are beneficial to the garden.
• Provide shade in the garden as it reduces the evaporation of water. Don’t let the children play with the hose!

• Other
• Leave the car dusty
• Sweep the path-don't use the hose!