Changes to the water restrictions currently in place in Pokeno and Tuakau look set to change for commercial users as we edge closer to summer.
Restrictions have been in place in the north of the district since May due to these towns in the north of the Waikato district belonging to the Auckland metropolitan network. These restrictions are to help address low water storage levels resulting from recent drought conditions in Auckland.
Auckland’s water supply situation going into summer is more stable because people have saved 4 billion litres of water over winter and the long-range forecast has improved. Watercare is also in the process of increasing Auckland’s water supply by 40 million litres a day. So far, the company has expanded its Waikato Water Treatment Plant by 25 million litres a day. By Christmas, it will have expanded the Onehunga plant and returned two former water sources – Hickey Springs in Pukekohe and Hays Creek in Papakura – to service.
Considering water use savings to date and prospective increases in supply, Auckland Council has decided to adjust the restrictions applying to commercial and other non-residential water users. Restrictions applying to residential users remain unchanged for the time-being. The changes will come into effect on 12 October 2020.
From 12 October 2020, commercial water users will be able to:
- use a hand-held hose fitted with a trigger nozzle
- use a regular hose for health, safety, emergency and biosecurity reasons
- ·operate a car wash service
- water sports fields, plants and paddocks using irrigation systems fitted with soil moisture sensors or rain sensors.
For more, visit Watercare’s website here.
ENDS
