News Release
Thursday 31 January 2013
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Council Asks Rotorua Residents To Conserve Water During Dry Spell

ROTORUA 31.01.13: Residents enjoying the hot, dry summer weather are being asked to avoid any unnecessary use of water, particularly outside in gardens or for lawn irrigation.

The current extended dry spell has seen a sharp rise in water demand across the district and at times usage has reached the point where storage reservoirs are being emptied faster than pumps can fill them.

Rotorua District Council says this puts extra pressure on infrastructure and systems and increases the risk of a breakdown somewhere in the network.

Council utilities operations manager Eric Cawte said the marked increase in water consumption was largely due to the over-use of garden and lawn sprinklers and irrigation systems, and was not sustainable over long periods of time.

“With no rain in Rotorua for a lengthy spell the council is reminding residents to be responsible about their use of water and eliminate wastage wherever possible.

“If everyone cooperates and exercises some restraint we’ll be able to get by and avoid the need to put in place mandatory restrictions,” he said.

The council is urging residents to follow a few guidelines for water use during the current dry spell:
• only water areas that really need it – don’t allow overspray onto paths and driveways;
• water lawns or gardens in the evenings - water evaporates quickly in the heat of the day;
• it is OK for lawns to go brown – they will quickly recover after the next good rainfall;
• to maintain good health plants need only one or two good waterings a week;
• water running from the lawn onto paths or driveways means the lawn is saturated and further watering is wasteful;
• don’t leave the hose running when washing cars or houses, and wash cars on the lawn wherever possible.

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