What? Restrict water now
Where? Whakatāne township, Piripai / Coastlands, Whakatāne West (to Thornton Road intersection), Otarawairere, and Ōhope.
Whakatāne District Council urgently calls for water conservation
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.
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Whakatāne District Council has implemented water restrictions due to critically low flows in the Whakatāne River, which are allowing saltwater intrusion to move further upstream.
This is now limiting the volume of water the Whakatāne treatment plant can process, requiring immediate conservation efforts across Whakatāne township, Piripai / Coastlands, Whakatāne West (to Thornton Road intersection), Otarawairere, and Ōhope.
To manage demand, Council requests consumers to take all practicable steps to reduce water consumption and therefore water use restrictions are now in place.
Residents are not permitted to wash vehicles, boats, or buildings. For now, garden watering is restricted to twenty minutes maximum on alternate days. Properties with even-numbered addresses may water on even calendar days, while odd-numbered properties may water on odd calendar days. Only hand-held hoses are allowed, and sprinkler use is strictly prohibited.
Council’s 3 Waters Team is actively monitoring river levels and water consumption. Our emergency intake put in place to keep clear of the flow of salt water up the river is operating but restriction of usage will allow Council to keep the supply above demand level. However, this intake is only a partial solution, and without significant rainfall in the upper catchment, further restrictions may be necessary. When the salinity move reaches the emergency intake, treated water production will have to cease during high tide conditions
Residents and businesses are urged to take immediate action to reduce their water consumption. Simple steps include not washing vehicles, boats or buildings vehicles, avoiding pool refills, fixing leaking taps, reporting broken water lines to Council, taking shorter showers, and using water-efficient practices in daily routines.
Public messaging campaigns are underway to reinforce these conservation efforts, and compliance with restrictions is essential to avoiding further measures.
The situation remains under constant review, and further updates will be provided as conditions change. Community cooperation is critical in ensuring that the available water supply remains sufficient for essential needs.
FAQs
- What’s happening?
Water restrictions have been introduced due to critically low flows in the Whakatāne River, which are allowing saltwater to move upstream. This is reducing the amount of water the Whakatāne treatment plant can process, making conservation essential to maintaining supply.
- What does restricting water mean?
1. No washing of vehicles, boats, or buildings.
2. No sprinkler use
3. Garden watering is allowed for a maximum of 20 minutes, only on alternate days using a hand-held hose:
• Even-numbered addresses may water on even calendar days
• Odd-numbered addresses may water on odd calendar days- What areas are affected?
The restrictions apply to:
• Whakatāne township
• Piripai / Coastlands
• Whakatāne West (to Thornton Road intersection)
• Ōtarawairere
• Ōhope- What happens if people don’t follow the restrictions?
If water use is not reduced and river levels continue to drop, further restrictions may be introduced, including a total ban on hose use.
- How long will the restrictions last?
The restrictions will remain in place until further notice and will only be lifted when sufficient rainfall restores river flows.
- What can I do to help conserve water?
• Do not wash vehicles, boats and buildings
• Don’t refill or top up swimming pools
• Fix leaking taps and pipes immediately
• Report any leaking water lines to the Council
• Flush toilets only if necessary
• Take shorter showers and avoid using the bath
• Capture unused water (e.g., while waiting for hot water) and reuse it for cleaning or watering plants- Will businesses be affected by the restrictions?
Yes, businesses are expected to follow the same water-use restrictions as residents. Essential water use for operations is allowed, but all non-essential use should be reduced.
- Is the Council affected by the restrictions?
Yes, the Council will be following the same water-use restrictions as residents. Essential water use for operations is allowed, but all non-essential use should be reduced. For example, the Boat Wash on Muriwai Drive will be temporary closed.
- Where can I get updates on the situation?
Updates will be provided through:
• The Whakatāne District Council website
• Council social media pages
• Local radio and news outlets
• Community signage- Who do I contact if I see water wastage or leaks?
Please report any leaking water lines or excessive water use to Whakatāne District Council at 07 306 0500.
- What is being done to secure the water supply?
Council has commenced emergency upriver intake to access water further upstream. However, this is only a partial solution, and without significant rainfall, further conservation is necessary to maintain supply.