Whakatāne District Council has today implemented water restrictions due to critically low flows in the Whakatāne River. Saltwater intrusion on high tides is now limiting how much water the treatment plant can process, making immediate conservation necessary.
Effective immediately:
- No washing down vehicles, boats, or buildings
- Garden watering is restricted to a maximum of 20 minutes per day, on alternate days. Even-numbered properties on even dates, odd-numbered properties on odd dates. Hand-held hoses only, NO sprinklers.
General Manager Planning, Infrastructure and Regulation David Bewley says low river flows within Whakatāne River due to a lack of rainfall mean saltwater is creeping upstream.
"A significant portion of Whakatāne District residents receive their treated water from the Whakatāne River,’ explains David. “Unfortunately, low river flow is allowing salt water to intrude upstream, limiting how much water the treatment plant can process."
David warns should conservation efforts fail, and river levels continue to drop, further restrictions may be implemented, such as banning all hose use.
"Without conservation, further restrictions may be required. These restrictions apply immediately and remain until further notice."
He adds, "We hope that situation can be avoided, but that's entirely dependent on the river flow and the ability of households and businesses to reduce their water use."
Council has commenced emergency upriver intake for the past 18 days, but without significant rainfall, reducing water use is the only way to prevent further restrictions.
Every drop counts – please do your part! Some simple conservation tips include:
- Don’t refill or top-up swimming pools
- If you know you have leaking taps, fix them now
- If you see a leaking water line, report it to the Council as soon as possible
- Flush toilets only if necessary
- Avoid using your bath and cut your shower time down as much as possible
- While waiting for hot water to flow through to showers or taps, catch the unused water in a bucket for use in washing machines or for other purposes.
The restrictions will remain in effect until sufficient rainfall restores river flows. Residents can stay up to date at whakatane.govt.nz/marchwaterrestrictions and via Council's social media channels.