Water supply still under pressure

 The sprinkler and irrigation system ban for Wellington, Porirua, Lower Hutt and Upper Hutt is still in place, as the dry weather continues and water supply levels drop.

“Even though we had rain in early March, we’ve had no more than a few millimetres over the last two weeks and our water sources are going back to the levels we had in February,” says Cr Rex Kirton, Chair of Greater Wellington’s Parks, Forests and Utilities Committee.

“Householders are doing a good job of reducing their water usage since the ban was put in place in late February. However, the Te Marua storage lakes are only 56% full and the rivers in the Hutt and Wainuiomata catchments are at low levels.”

Cr Kirton says the water catchment areas will need a good soaking over several days before Greater Wellington would recommend that the four cities could lift the ban. “However, mainly fine or dry weather is predicted into next week – so at this stage, I urge householders to continue to be careful when watering their gardens, and limit their use of garden hoses.”

Information on local water restrictions can be found on local council websites.