Water demand adds strain to supply
Tighter water restrictions – including Level 4, the highest level – may need to be applied to council water supplies if demand for water continues to remain strong despite calls to conserve this precious taonga.
Level 3 restrictions banning the use of hoses as well as outdoor sprinklers and irrigation systems are now in force for the Ōmanaia-Rāwene and Ōpononi-Ōmāpere water supplies. However, high demand combined with ongoing dry weather, means flows in vulnerable south Hokianga water sources are nearing critical levels.
While rain is predicted to arrive from the east over the next few days, it is not expected to benefit western areas, like the Hokianga. The Petaka Stream which supplies both Rāwene and Ōmanaia, is very small with limited water flow, while the Waiotemarama Stream which supplies Ōpononi and Ōmāpere is also sensitive to fluctuations in rainfall and subject to low flows.
River levels across the district have continued to drop in the last week, but demand has increased as the summer tourist season continues to heat up. Further water restrictions across the district, and increases in restriction levels in other areas, will need to be considered if current demand levels remain high.
Level 4 restricts customers to essential water use – cooking, drinking, and washing only.
All residents and visitors are asked to play a part in reducing demand now, by being mindful of water use and avoiding any unnecessary use.
Big crowds are expected to attend upcoming public holiday events in the Far North including Northland Anniversary Day (Monday 27 January), numerous celebrations throughout the week of Waitangi Day (starting Monday 3 February), and Waitangi Day itself (Thursday 6 February).
Level 2 water restrictions apply in Kawakawa-Moerewa, Kerikeri-Waipapa and Paihia-Ōpua-Waitangi. Level 2 restrictions ban the use of outdoor sprinklers or irrigation systems. Council water sources for Kaitāia, Kaikohe-Ngāwhā and Ōkaihau currently remain at Level 1, where no restrictions apply but customers are encouraged to use water sensibly.
The council’s Water Shortage Management Committee will continue to monitor at risk water supplies across the Far North throughout the week and meet again next week, when further water restrictions may be necessary to protect the health of water sources.
The graph below shows a general trend of declining river flow levels in Ōpononi. The yellow bar indicates the river level at this time last year.
