Take time to prepare for summer water needs

With summer starting to take hold, residents in rural areas who rely on rainwater tanks are reminded to prepare for their dry-season water needs.

Residents in rural areas should make sure water tanks are clean and check that their tank capacity is able to meet their needs, says Raveen Jaduram, chief executive of Manukau Water.

“It pays to plan ahead as there is limited capacity for tank water suppliers to meet a sudden rush in demand,” Mr Jaduram said.

In rural parts of Manukau, such as Beachlands, Maraetai, and Clevedon, responsibility for water supply is with the homeowners, who are mainly dependent on rainwater collected from roofs and on tankered water during drier periods. There are around 13,000 households in rural Manukau who rely on tank supply.

As it did last year, Manukau Water will arrange for tank water supply trucks to fill from the Manukau Water supply. The company’s Ormiston Road filling station will be available for the suppliers all summer.

Mr Jaduram says residents in rural areas are generally well aware of their water needs.

“But we always encourage our customers to make the most of this precious resource,” he said.

Mr Jaduram said all water users – whether they are on tank supply or a piped water service - can take some simple steps to use water wisely.

Top Tips For Saving Water

o Turn off the tap while brushing your teeth.
o Avoid garden watering in the middle of the day, and use mulch.
o Reduce shower times
o Use a bucket of water to wash your car – not a running hose
o Check for leaks around your home plumbing - and if you have them get them fixed