Source: Auckland Council
Auckland is experiencing one of its most prolonged dry periods and as of tomorrow (Saturday 16 May) mandatory Stage 1 water restrictions will be in place.
As of 10 May, the total volume of water stored in our dams is currently around 45 per cent, which is well below average for this time of year (76 per cent).
Stage 1 restrictions will prohibit the residential use of outdoor hoses and water-blasters.
Restrictions for commercial and non-residential water usage at Stage 1 include banning the use of outdoor hoses or water blasters unless it is for a health, safety, emergency or biosecurity reason, banning commercial car washes unless they use recycled water, and restricting the watering of sports fields, plants or paddocks to those which have an irrigation system fitted with soil moisture or rain sensors.
What is the council doing?
Auckland Council’s maintenance teams are operating within the parameters of the water restrictions, and we have restricted water use across several our sites.
- All water use in our town centre cleaning has been suspended including any cleaning of bus shelters, we may use some water only to remove bodily fluids or if there is a Health and Safety issue
- All external building cleans have been suspended across the networks of libraries, halls, venue hire, corporate properties that we service
- Irrigation is currently turned off across our sports platforms, as well as any irrigation that supports our garden network. Although some sports fields will be watered using bore water
- We have a number of large water features across the region these were all emptied in February and remain off
- Beach showers and drinking fountains are currently not in use during COVID-19 Level 2 and will remain unavailable for us to the public as we move forward given the water restrictions coming into effect.
At COVID-19 Alert Level 2, washing our hands remains essential, even during water restrictions, but turn off taps as much as possible during the process.
We can take other small steps to make a difference – reduce shower time to four minutes, turn off taps when brushing our teeth, and only run washing machines or dishwashers when full.
Think before you use and be a water-saving hero.
Further information about the drought is available at watercare.co.nz or find Waterwise tips at waterforlife.org.nz
