Water restrictions eased back to level two

Water restrictions have been eased today.

Excellent conservation efforts by residents and damper weather have taken the pressure off the system – but people are being asked to continue being careful with water.

Level three restrictions have been in place for a fortnight. That is being dialled back to level two today, which means people can use sprinklers and automated watering systems between the hours of 6am and 8am and 7pm and 9pm. Pools can also be filled and topped up.

Council is asking people to continue using water wisely; avoiding things like car washing if at all possible.

Water use by residents has dropped by about 20 per cent in the fortnight since Council’s call for people to limit discretionary water use. That has allowed the pumping system which fills the reservoirs to catch up.

Unseasonably high water use in early November compounded by three pumps being out of action in the wake of the campylobacter contamination in August led to the level three restrictions.

Council staff are working hard to get another pump on line before the hottest summer weather strikes, normally late January, early February.

Staff are closely monitoring water use and water levels in the reservoirs and will make changes to conservation levels as required to ensure there is water available for the first priorities; drinking and firefighting. It is hoped that with the continued care and cooperation that most residents have shown a further tightening of restrictions can be avoided, although this cannot be guaranteed.

ENDS

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