Residents urged to conserve water in preparation for water restrictions

Christchurch City Council is urging Christchurch residents to start conserving water now in preparation for water restrictions due to start in October.

Christchurch’s water supply systems were badly damaged during the 4 September, 22 February and 13 June earthquakes, the results of which have meant water restrictions are being imposed for the city for the first time since the drought of 1998.

“We are working hard to repair reservoirs and drill new wells but we need Christchurch residents to limit their outdoor water use. This is a city-wide problem,” says Council Water and Waste Manager Mark Christison.

“The infrastructure required to pump water around the city on a peak-demand summer day, has been severely damaged by earthquakes over the last 12 months. We need to reduce the outdoor water consumption across the city this summer, as the damaged water infrastructure can not support this level of demand over the summer months.

“If we don’t start conserving water now and reduce the traditional high summer time outdoor water demand, watering bans will have to be imposed for the city – which is not something Christchurch gardening enthusiasts want to hear.”

Mayor Bob Parker says the restrictions are necessary to ensure we can supply Christchurch residents with the indoor water they need as summer approaches.

“I understand that this may feel like another blow following the quakes, but it is a problem that shouldn’t come as a surprise to residents. We are renowned for being the garden city, and while we want to retain this image, particularly in summer, we do have be clever in how we use water this year,” he says.