Water restrictions have been tightened in Raglan today, following a dramatic spike in water consumption over recent weeks.
Water Alert Level 2 is now in place in Raglan, meaning domestic sprinkler systems are permitted between 6am-8am and 6pm-8pm on alternate days only, depending on your street address. Council has moved their water alert meter out from behind the light standard in Wainui Road so it can now be seen.
This means residents who live at properties that have odd-numbered street addresses will be permitted to use their sprinkler systems between 6am-8am and 6pm-8pm on dates with odd numbers (i.e. 1 December, 3 December, 5 December, etc), while those living at properties with even-numbered street numbers can use their sprinkler systems between 6am-8am and 6pm-8pm on dates with even numbers (2 December, 4 December, 6 December, etc).
Today’s upgrade to Water Alert Level 2 comes less than three weeks after Water Alert Level 1 restrictions were introduced in Raglan.
Water consumption levels have increased dramatically over recent weeks, and it is a lot earlier than the typical peak demand period and forecasters are predicting plenty more dry, hot weather ahead.
Waikato District Council water & facilities general manager Richard Bax urged all residents to take immediate steps to conserve water.
“We ask that all residents abide by the new restrictions that have come into effect and take other steps to conserve water where ever possible – simple things like taking shorter showers, fixing leaking taps and washing cars with a bucket of water instead of a hose can all add up and help ease the demand we are currently experiencing.”
If the current demand continues, Raglan could face a total ban on domestic sprinklers, as well as restrictions on outdoor water use for commercial/non-residential properties.
Raglan’s water alert levels were developed in the 2008/09 summer, as part of ‘Smart Water Use’ – a regional collaborative effort between Hamilton City Council, Waikato District Council, Environment Waikato and other territorial authorities throughout the greater Waikato. The initiative aims to encourage residents to regard water as a ‘limited and precious resource’ and promote proactive water conservation.
More information on water consumption and alert levels is available on www.hamilton.co.nz/water and www.waikatodistrict.govt.nz.