Don’t use sprinklers - use water wisely

A ban on all household sprinklers starts from today for Gisborne city residents.

The forecast for continued dry weather has prompted Council to move to level two water restrictions to help conserve the city water supply.

Water utilities manager Neville West says the restriction means no domestic sprinklers can be used and people are asked to use hoses by hand only and use sparingly.

“If you have an irrigation system on an automatic timer, please turn it off.”

Shared services science manager Dennis Crone says the Te Hapara Sands Aquifer is fully allocated to water permit holders and is also under pressure.

Gisborne residents using private bores are also asked keep use to a minimum and use bore water efficiently to help conserve our groundwater resources.

Bore users need to display a sign to reduce complaints of water restriction breaches.

Mayor Meng Foon says we’re heading towards a critical situation, hence we need have to implement this notice.

“I hope we all know how important this matter is for us and that people will abide by the total restriction of sprinklers and reduce hose use.

“Council also asks residents to use their household water wisely.

“It’s a good idea to reuse your water from washing machines, bath water to water your gardens, fix leaks and reduce showering time to three minutes like us on rain water tanks.

“Our staff and our community will be looking out for those who are not listening. If people are concerned about water wastage or see a water leak, contact us so we can check it out.”

More water saving tips are on Council’s website.

Farmers, production called to help save river water

A meeting with water consent holders in the Waipaoa River catchment will take place at 4pm today at the Bushmere Arms to discuss restriction on water takes from the river.

“Decreasing water levels in the river means non-essential water users in the catchment will need to reduce rates of irrigation or stop taking water for irrigation altogether,” says shared services science manager Dennis Crone.

A water shortage direction has already been issued to irrigators in the Te Arai catchment last week.

Balancing water priorities

Council gardens and sportsgrounds are also subject to the water restrictions and staff are having to implement measures to minimise the impact on community assets.

Irrigation systems for our sportsgrounds and gardens have been turned off. Priority gardens, planted median strips and roundabouts will be watered by hand using tankers.

“Our gardens team are working hard in very trying conditions to improve gardens and our ability to water gardens is now extremely limited,” says Andrew White, community and recreation manager.

“Unfortunately we don’t have the capacity to get water on them all and some of our plantings are going to fail

“We will be doing our best preserve our gardens and parks to the standard our community expects.”

No irrigation of sportsgrounds using the town supply will take place during water restrictions.

“We’ve been investigating the drilling of bores across sportsgrounds,” says Andrew White, community and recreation manager.

“However now we are in this critical situation and it will be challenging to maintain the condition of the turf for the winter sports season.”

A programme of sports parks renewal work is now being reviewed, due to the necessity to irrigate during establishment of new turf.
Water tank supply safety

Water supplies are getting low for residents reliant on rain water tanks for domestic water.

“If residents are getting tanks topped up, there are some important things they need to do to ensure the supply stays safe,” says regulatory services manager Sarwan Kumar.

“First we encourage people to clean their tanks before refilling as adding the delivered water to a dirty tank can stir up any sludge and bacteria, make water cloudy and taste unpleasant.

“If you do refill the tank without cleaning it, any debris should settle back down, and the chlorine will evaporate in a few days but boil your drinking water in the meantime.”

Mr Kumar also advises people to make sure you use a legally registered water carrier.

“We can advise a list of registered safe carriers, or make sure you ask the carrier before ordering the water.”

Registered carriers are required to leave a delivery docket with each load of water that outlines the source and quality of the delivered water.

More information for tank water safety:

• Information about cleaning your water tank and maintaining a safe water supply is available our website.

• Buy water from a registered water carrier:

o Coxco Transport Ltd

o DB Judd

o Gisborne Water

o Jack Higgins Contracting (Ruatoria)

o John Allison Contracting

o ME Jukes & Son

ENDS

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