Gentle water restrictions are likely to start earlier than usual in Matatoki, Puriri, Whangamata, and Tairua, following expectations of the driest summer for decades.

Other townships are requested to start saving water practices because if conditions continue as predicted, Thames, Pauanui, Onemana, Matarangi, Coromandel, and Hahei will also be affected.

Thames-Coromandel District Council Water Services manager Ian Smith says lower ground water levels in the Coromandel, plus lower than usual water flows, mean restrictions are likely to start in the next week.

'We will start with a ban on sprinklers, so people will have to use a hose to manually water gardens,” says Ian. 'But with the Coromandel's peak population period just three weekends away, we're encouraging early smart water use.”

If required this year, council will also implement an intermediate restriction whereby alternate day watering will be allowed.

This means properties with odd numbered addresses can use hoses on odd numbered days, while properties with even street numbered addresses are able to use hoses on even numbered days.

Iann adds there is still the likelihood that total water restrictions may have to be implemented should predicted weather patterns eventuate.

'Water conservation is always important, but this summer could bring some special challenges.

'Everybody can make some small changes to their water usage in the next couple of weeks that can make a massive difference across the Coromandel,” says Ian.

WATER CONSERVATION TIPS

MetService meteorologist Lisa Murray says the effects of the current El Nino means a dryer than normal summer season is expected for the Coromandel, 'so it would be wise to start conserving water now”.

So you can do your part by following these handy and simple tips:

• Fill the sink to wash vegetables and rinse dishes.
• Do full loads in the clothes washer and dishwater.
• Promote shorter showers and shallower baths.
• Don't run the water when brushing your teeth.
• If the toilet leaks or a tap drips, fix it right away. A small, regular drip can waste hundreds of litres of water a week.
• For cool drinking water, fill a jug and keep it in the fridge. Running water to cool it down can waste 10 litres a minute.
• If you really want to conserve, when running the water to get it hot, collect it in a container, let it sit, then use it to water indoor plants or the garden.
• For lawns, apply the ‘step test' – if grass springs back after you walk on it, it doesn't need watering.