Water consumption in the Whakatāne and Ōhope water supply schemes over the past week is holding steady at about 5,700 cubic metres a day, which has allowed the Whakatāne District Council to maintain reservoir storage levels at about 80 percent full.
Council Public Affairs Manager, Ross Boreham, says that at full storage, the reservoirs hold a little over one day’s supply for the two communities. “That’s why it’s vital that we keep storage at relatively high levels, so that if any operational issues did occur at the intakes or treatment station, we would be able to continue supplying water to the community and emergency services,” he says.
“Since voluntary conservation measures and garden watering restrictions were introduced last month, consumption has fallen significantly and is typically well below 6,000 cubic metres a day. That’s a fantastic example of community action which is allowing the Council to manage what could have been a water supply crisis.”
The drought-reduced flow in the Whakatāne River continues to be an issue, allowing salt water intrusion to and beyond the Water Treatment Plant intake for several hours around high tides. Water extraction at the intake has to cease while the salinity level is high, but a 500-metre extension to the Council’s emergency water intake is allowing enough freshwater to be pumped to the treatment plant to maintain storage levels.
“That additional pumping capacity is also allowing us to divert water to Sullivan Lake on a regular basis, ensuring that the lake water quality remains at a level which doesn’t adversely affect the reserve’s wildlife habitat values,” Mr Boreham adds.
“The long range forecast indicates some hope of substantial rain next week, but in the meantime, the garden watering restrictions will remain in force, as will the Total Fire Ban throughout the District, and the closure of the Nga Tapuwae o Toi walking tracks.”
He says an extended period of rain will be required to reduce the current extreme fire risk to an acceptable level.
With daylight saving having finished last weekend, the evening hours when hand-watering of gardens is allowed have changed from 7.00-9.00pm to 6.00-8.00pm.