Level one water restrictions continue to be necessary in Tauranga, despite spells of rain and cooler weather.
Concerns remain over persisting low flow levels in the streams that supply Tauranga's drinking water, causing council to keep restrictions in place for the foreseeable future.
'We want to thank the community for their efforts in conserving water, it made a difference which prevented the need for a hose ban,” says Director of City Waters for Tauranga City Council, Stephen Burton.
'However, we are not out of the woods yet and need to keep restrictions in place until we reach more consistent flow in our source water streams.”
Stephen says stream flows are at their lowest since records began in 1975, rainfall is still significantly lower than an average year and the short spells of rain have done little to relieve the situation.
'Water restrictions help relieve pressure on these streams.
'When using water, we continue to need to ask ourselves if this is a good use of drinking water.”
Tauranga City Council continues to closely liaise with Bay of Plenty Regional Council (BoPRC), who are responsible for caring for the region's waterways.
Their assessment is that overall conditions have not changed substantially and NIWA is predicting extended dry spells over the next three months, underscoring the need for continued restrictions.
Until restrictions are lifted, the community is asked to continue to adhere to the level 1 water restrictions and practice water conservation habits.
Sprinklers and irrigation systems are banned and watering of gardens can take place by hand held hose, in the cooler hours of day - between 5am and 8am and 7pm and 10pm.
More tips on saving water can be found at www.tauranga.govt.nz/savingwater
The latest news on our regional situation is available at https://www.boprc.govt.nz/our-projects/dry-weather-water-management.
5 comments
More inadequacy.
Posted on 11-03-2021 10:22 | By Kancho
So essential services are not priorities for a long time and yet growth is encouraged and welcomed to further burden all infrastructure. So much spent on created frivolities . Rates destined to massive disruption increase so where is the pledge to get back to the proper essential needs. Incompetence.
Caused by clowns!!
Posted on 11-03-2021 11:13 | By The Professor
The whole issue of water shortage sits firmly at the feet of the clowns in Council. They are letting too many people in the region for the infrastructure available. I keep saying it - build up the infrastructure first then invite more people to our region. This is how it works in most countries - EU, UK, USA, Canada!!! Completely agree with you Kancho.
@Prof and Kancho
Posted on 12-03-2021 13:00 | By morepork
I sadly am forced to agree with you both. There's really no excuse for not planning water supply better with dams and reservoirs if needed. And we've all been saying for some time now, that they should stop artificially expanding the population for a while and give the infrastructure a chance to catch up. If laymen can see the basic arithmetic here, why can't the specialists and the "Powers that Be"?
Smartgrowth joke
Posted on 12-03-2021 17:17 | By Kancho
Our new commissoners have a local background not town planning and one Chair of smartgrowth. So we have faint infrastructure including essential water having not kept abreast of development and population growth . Go figure ? As Benjamin Franklin said Those who fail to plan , plan to fail
Sorry, but I pay my rates
Posted on 12-03-2021 20:16 | By The Caveman
AND WATER BILL. As far as I am concerned, having paid rates AND my water bill, I will use water as I see fix. The COUNCIL charges me rates and water rates that I have to pay for!! Thus I will use what I need as far as water goes. If they a charging ME and other residents for a service that they are NOW SAYING that they cannot provide to me - sorry NOT MY PROBLEM - if the council is charging me for a service then I will USE IT !!
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