Rawene joins restricted water supplies list

Rawene is the latest community to have water restrictions imposed as drought conditions continue to intensify and water levels fall in rivers and streams in critical catchments across the Far North.


The water conservation measures have been initiated this week as flows in the Petaka Stream which services the town continue to fall.


"While the Rawene situation is not yet critical, unless we are able to conserve water now a point will be reached in the very near future at which we will be unable to continue to meet the town's water requirements," Infrastructure and Assets General Manager David Penny said today.


"The Petaka Stream is quite small and under drought conditions comes under pressure fairly quickly. We don't have the luxury of an alternate supply which we can tap into in that area.


"If the community can bring down water use by 20% now it will prolong the period before the supply reaches a critical level and more drastic measures are required," he said.


The same restrictions have been imposed as those applying to Kaitaia, Opononi/Omapere and the Kawakawa/Moerewa water supply schemes. These include bans on the use of hoses, commercial car washing facilities, truck washing facilities, waterblasting, watering lawns and gardens, washing private cars, windows, houses, decks and pathways, and the filling or "topping up" of swimming and spa pools.


The restrictions will remain in force until further notice.


Mr Penny said while restrictions had not yet been imposed on other water supply schemes, the need to conserve water was universal.


"The restrictions do not apply to private water schemes such as household rainwater tanks. However we would also urge householders with their own tanks to conserve water use wherever possible.


"When a household tank runs low, suppliers with water tankers generally seek to fill up from the filtered and treated council water supply schemes.


"People also tend to call on friends and relatives in reticulated supply areas for assistance by bringing their laundry to be washed and to take showers while in town. This all adds to the demand and the pressure on already heavily committed water supply schemes," he said.