Hose ban at Kaitaia as rivers dry up

Ongoing drought conditions and reduced flow levels in the Awanui River have forced the Far North District Council to declare a total ban on the use of hoses within the Kaitaia water supply area.


The ban precludes the use of hand-held hoses, sprinklers and all garden irrigation systems and will remain in place until further notice.


The council's top priority is to make sure there is sufficient water reaching households to maintain public health, Infrastructure & Assets General Manager David Penny said today.


"We have held off on restrictions as long as possible but the situation is getting very serious. Unless we reduce the level of demand immediately we could be facing even more stringent restrictions including stopping or restricting supplies.


"Flow levels in the river are monitored daily and are now so low we can no longer take the volumes needed to satisfy demand. We are working with the Northland Regional Council on emergency measures which include making sure there is enough water to provide for essential household purposes.


"Watering the garden or washing the car are not essential purposes," he said.


The situation at Kaitaia had been aggravated by an algae bloom in the Kauri Dam which meant this source was no longer available to supplement water drawn from the Awanui River.


"Alternative supply sources are being investigated and taking water from the Okahu Stream may be an option. But in the meantime it is essential that demand levels are reduced," he said.


The council was doing what it could and it was now up to the community to play a part in the drive for water conservation. Complying with the ban on the use of hoses was a first step.


"We would urge people to also look to other ways they can voluntarily reduce the amount of water they need on a daily basis," he said.


Although the situation at Kaitaia had reached critical proportions, a similar scenario was evolving with water supplies across the district and water restrictions could not be ruled out in other areas over the next few weeks.


NIWA projections still showed little likelihood of meaningful rain in the Far North over the next two months.