Source: Radio New Zealand
123rf.com
The Central Hawke’s Bay beach community of Kairakau has just been put under the highest level of water restrictions.
Central Hawke’s Bay District Council chief executive Doug Tate said it wasn’t a decision they made lightly.
“It became a necessary move due to the inability to extract enough water from the bore and the spring – the water sources for Kairakau.”
He said due to the lack of water, the bore is only able to draw approximately a tenth of its consented take and, at this rate, it would take almost three days to refill the reservoir.
The council is investigating whether there are any other underlying causes, but suspects the current dry conditions are the main problem.
“We’re having to use tankers to maintain the supply, until the issue is resolved. That’s why we’re having to take such urgent action and implement Level 4 restrictions. We need everyone to work together to reduce water use and share the message in Kairakau,” Tate said.
The Hawke’s Bay region has been sweltering under 34 degree temperatures this week, and some areas have had just half the average rainfall for this time of the year.
The council is asking Kairakau residents to:
- ONLY use water outside for emergencies – no washing boats, cars, houses etc
- If you have a pool, don’t top it up.
- Conserve water wherever you can.
- Don’t use your dishwasher. Wash your dishes by hand and use that water elsewhere.
- Limit how much you use your washing machine.
- Don’t rush to flush the toilet – if it’s yellow, let it mellow.
- Limit your showers to two minutes only.
- Check out water saving tips for other ways that you can save water.
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
