Water Restrictions in Place in Okato

Low water levels in the Mangatete Stream have prompted water restrictions for Okato residents.

 

The restrictions require a total ban on the use of sprinklers, irrigation systems and unattended hoses, while hand-held hoses may be used on the odds and evens system: Odd-numbered houses on odd dates, and even-numbered houses on even dates.

Manager Water and Wastes Brent Manning says both New Plymouth District Council and Taranaki Regional Council have been watching the lowering water volume in Mangatete Stream.

“There has been very little rainfall in Okato’s catchment for several weeks and we’re seeing the result of that in the Mangatete,” he says.

“Okato residents will need to conserve water until we get a decent period of rain and can lift the restriction.”

NPDC is in the middle of exploratory drilling to find an aquifer to replace Mangatete Stream as the town’s drinking water supply.

The drilling has so far come across small pockets of water, but none with the quantity required for an ongoing consistent supply of drinking water.

“We’re on the first of four bore holes in that drilling programme so we still have a way to go,” says Mr Manning.