Far North District Council warns of water shortages

A total ban on the use of garden hoses, sprinklers and irrigation systems came into effect in the Opononi/Omapere, Kaikohe and Rawene areas from yesterday.

We need to achieve at least a 20 percent saving in water use if further compulsory restrictions are to be avoided.

Peter Johnson FNDC Utilities Manager

Far North residents are being urged to save water as the extended summer dries up reservoirs and public water supplies across the district.

With still no sign of rain the Far North District Council is appealing to households across the Far North district to make voluntary reductions in the amount of water they are using.

"We need to achieve at least a 20 percent saving in water use if further compulsory restrictions are to be avoided," FNDC Utilities Manager Peter Johnson said.

The most critical areas were Opononi, Rawene, Kaikohe and Kaitaia but in the last few days all water supply catchments have been showing signs of severe stress, he said.

A total ban on the use of garden hoses, sprinklers and irrigation systems came into effect in the Opononi/Omapere, Kaikohe and Rawene areas from yesterday.

However this may not be the end of compulsory restrictions with Kaitaia in particular still at risk.

Raw water sources are drying up quickly and with forecasters still advising adequate rain is unlikely in the immediate future, the situation is really becoming quite serious, Mr Johnson said.

"Community co-operation is the key.

"If people are really conservation conscious we may avoid further restrictions," he said.

Mr Johnson said the request for voluntary reductions applied to all households across the district, not just those on public water schemes.

As household tanks ran dry, it was usually water from reticulated public schemes which was used by bulk water carriers to top up empty tanks.

As an emergency measure, applications for water shortage orders for Opononi/Omapere, Rawene and Kaikohe would be lodged with the Northland Regional Council shortly.

If approved, it would mean the Far North would be able to draw more water from the sources.

"This is only going to be a temporary reprieve, unless the overall level of demand can be reduced.

"As a council we are doing what we can to reduce the use of water, including postponing all contracts related to water scrubbing and water-blasting in the central business districts," he said.