MEDIA RELEASE

Emergency Water Supply For Beachlands

Manukau City (6 March 2007) – A shortage of rain in the Beachlands-Maratei area has led Manukau Water Limited to arrange for an emergency supply of drinking water to be made available at the Beachlands Fire Station.

Manukau Water Limited has arranged for the tank of water to be available as a precautionary measure in case some residents literally run dry while waiting for rain or water tanker deliveries. As rain water is free and tankered water costs money, it is understandable that residents put off buying water in the hope of rain. When rain does not arrive, the large number of requests for tankered water creates a backlog.

With all the hot weather and little rain we have been having, it’s time for residents in rural areas such as Maraetai, Beachlands, Whitford and Clevedon who rely on rainwater tanks to prepare themselves for the possible delay in receiving their tank water, says Raveen Jaduram, chief executive officer of Manukau Water Limited.

“We are installing this tank so that people can use it in an absolute emergency, but we are really urging people to make sure that the household tanks they have are clean and have plenty of capacity to meet their needs,” Mr Jaduram said.
Mr Jaduram said it is important that residents of these areas plan ahead, as there is limited capacity for privately-operated tank water suppliers to meet a sudden rush in demand across the district.
In Beachlands, Maraetai, Clevedon and other rural areas of Manukau, the responsibility for water supply is with the homeowners, who are mainly dependent on rainwater collected from roofs and on tankered water during drier periods.
“We want to encourage residents to anticipate their water requirements and make sound judgement between relying on rain water and paying for tankered water. We are not in the business of supplying water to these rural areas, and are not going to compete with the tanker suppliers,” Mr Jaduram said.

As it did last year, Manukau Water Limited will arrange for tank water suppliers to fill their tankers from the Manukau Water supply. With the imminent closure of the Ormiston Road filling station due to development of the land by its owner, Manukau Water Limited has made temporary arrangements for tankers to be filled from hydrants until a more permanent solution is found.
Mr Jaduram says residents in rural areas are generally well aware of their water needs.
“They understand it’s necessary to conserve water during the hotter months and the rural community is very prudent with water use and they value this essential commodity,” he says.

“We would just like to emphasise that the tank we have supplied is for emergency use for local residents to fill up a container or jerry can for drinking or hygiene purposes. There is no charge for its use.”

Tips for Saving Water

o Turn off the tap while brushing your teeth.
o Be a water-wise gardener – avoid watering in the middle of the day, and use mulch.
o Take a shower instead of a bath
o Use a bucket of water to wash your car – not a running hose
o Check for leaks around your home plumbing and get them fixed
o Fully fill the dishwasher before using it
o If you have a dual flush toilet – use the half flush whenever you can.

Ends

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