There is a direct relationship between water useage and power useage, Stuart Duncan, General Manager Asset Management told Hutt City Council at its penultimate meeting last night.

"If water use could, for example, be reduced by 10 per cent, then the amount of power needed to run the water supply system would be reduced by a similar amount,"said Mr Duncan.

"The amount of power used by Hutt City's water supply, wastewater and stormwater systems is almost directly dependent on how much water is going through these systems.

"The key to reducing energy useage therefore is to reduce water flow through the water supply and waste water systems. Because stormwater systems are dependent on rainfall, our ability to reduce energy useage in this area is limited," said Stuart Duncan.

Around 30 per cent of Hutt City's total energy useage is used in the operation of the water supply, wastewater and stormwater systems, and is mainly used to operate pumping stations and utility installations such as the Seaview Milliscreen plant.

Other power saving measures implemented by Hutt City include:
* Disconnecting all non-safety lighting in the city, primarily in the CBD and Jackson Street areas;
* Decorative lighting turned off in some of Council's parks and amenities, such as Riddiford Gardens;
* Non-essential lighting turned off at Council's swimming pools;
* Switching off lights in hallways and offices within Council's main admin building.

Hutt City is monitoring electricity useage closely and will continue to evaluate the options for further savings.

ENDS

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