Hosing restrictions across Southland District

Wednesday, 11 January 2012

Southland District residents are being asked to conserve water as the ongoing dry weather puts pressure on the district's 12 water schemes. Southland District Council water and waste assets manager Ian Evans said residents on the Te Anau, Manapouri, Mossburn, Ohai-Nightcaps-Wairio, Lumsden township, Orawia, Edendale-Wyndham, Otautau, Tuatapere, Riverton and Winton water supply schemes need to be careful with their use of water for the foreseeable future. "We need people to show restraint and we are also putting hosing restrictions on all townships which have council water schemes until further notice. This includes Riverton and Ohai-Nightcaps-Wairio, where the restrictions were in place already but were to end on 14 January," Mr Evans said.

The restrictions are as follows:

  • The use of unattended sprinklers or irrigation systems is strictly prohibited.
  • Only hand-held hosing is permitted.
  • Odd-numbered properties may irrigate on odd-numbered days of the month and even-numbered properties on even-numbered days. For example, residents at 3 James Street may irrigate on 25 January, but not on 26 January.
  • Hand-held hosing may only be carried out between 6pm and 9am. All hosing between 9am and 6pm is strictly prohibited.

"These measures are necessary so that we can continue to provide water to our ratepayers and for emergency services," he said. "We need to conserve water to ensure the sustainability of our district's water supplies during the rest of the summer. It will take a considerable amount of rain to see these restrictions lifted because the ground is so dry."

Meanwhile, water carriers are asked to contact Council before they take any loads from these schemes.

"We do not want to unnecessarily restrict the carriers but our primary responsibility is supplying water for our ratepayers and the emergency services. The taking of water can at times put considerable pressure on some of our smaller schemes," Mr Evans said.

He also advised that it is illegal for consumers on restricted supplies to tamper with their connections. Doing this means others on these schemes go short.

Some suggestions to conserve water are:

  • Fix leaking taps;
  • Put water in the sink to wash fruits and veggies or for rinsing dishes;
  • Do full loads in the dishwasher - this saves water and power.
  • Turn the tap off when brushing your teeth or shaving;
  • Install a low-flow showerhead, this can save the average household 1,000 litres of water per week;
  • Use dual-flush on the toilet or simply place a brick or filled water bottle in the toilet cistern;
  • Do full loads in the washing machine.

For more tips go to this page on this website http://www.southlanddc.govt.nz/water-services/?stage=Live

 

Who to contact

If you would like to discuss a matter on this page, feel free to contact us:

Southland District Council
P.O. Box 903
Invercargill 9840
Phone: 0800 732 732
Fax: 0800 732 329
emailsdc@southlanddc.govt.nz