Sprinkler restrictions stepped up as Hamilton reaches water alert level 2

Hamilton residents are now permitted to use their sprinkler systems between 6am-8am and 6pm-8pm on alternate days only, after the city reached water alert level 2 today.

The change in water alert levels comes after increasing water consumption over the past weeks and prolonged periods of fine weather.

Hamilton City Council city waters manager Tim Harty said that with warm weather predicted ahead and more residents expected to return to the city from summer holiday destinations in the coming days, the current water restriction needed to be reviewed to take into account these factors and ensure that water consumption remains at sustainable levels during the summer period.

"Alert level 2 means residents are asked to use their sprinkler systems between 6am-8am and 6pm-8pm on alternate days only, depending on their street address," said Mr Harty.

"So for example, on Monday, 11 January residents who live at homes that have odd numbers for street addresses will be permitted to use their sprinkler systems between the times outlined. The following day on 12 January, those homes that have even numbers for street addresses will be permitted to use their sprinklers between those times, and so on.

"The aim of this water alert level system and its corresponding restrictions is to proactively guide water use in a sustainable manner and ensure consistent supply throughout summer," said Mr Harty.

More information on the city's water consumption and alert levels is available on www.hamilton.co.nz/water