Blenheim’s water provided to vineyards
Some vineyards are now receiving tankered water from the Blenheim supply, Council’s Operations and Maintenance Engineer Stephen Rooney says.
“Council has given permission for water to be taken from specific hydrants, and vineyards are charged for the water they use. Taking this water is not affecting the water available to the general Blenheim population.”
“Blenheim currently has ample reserves of water. The Council only puts water restrictions in place where the source or network cannot meet demand – which is the case for Renwick and Picton at the moment, but not Blenheim.”
Currently the tankers are taking up to 800m3 per day. This compares to the current daily demand used by Blenheim’s residents of about 30,000 m3 per day.
“The tankered water is enough to sustain those vineyards that need it for the next few weeks, before their harvest gets fully underway. Some of our vineyards do not have access to water as the taking of water from some rivers and aquifers had to cease due to low water levels during this dry summer.”
“If it was necessary to impose water restrictions in Blenheim, which it is not, we would withdraw permission to take tankered water.”
Further information: Stephen Rooney on 03 520 7400.