Raglan’s expensive water meters have failed to reduce water use in the town. Figures released by Waikato District Council show that over one and half million litres of water is now being used every day by businesses, residents and tourists. The water meters were installed in 2016 by Waikato District Council in an attempt to curb water usage.
Raglan water consumption jumped from an average of 1,220,000 litres a day in mid October to 1,507,000 litres a day in early December. This is the same usage experienced in 2015 when 1,510,000 litres a day was used in December. Raglan’s water usage goes up every summer when bach owners visit more frequently and tourists numbers surge.
The good news is that the spring that provides Raglan with water produces 4,800,000 litres a day and Waikato District Council is allowed to draw 3,100,000 litres a day. So water use is just under half the amount allowed to be taken.
Waikato District Council announced Level One Smartwater restrictions for Raglan in early December. Let’s hope this restriction is more successful than the water meters at curbing consumption.
How many more stories like this will it take to persuade council that the community board could do a much more efficient job running Raglan?
Has the population risen since 2015? And the number of visitors? If so, that would suggest a decrease in the average usage per person..
A good question. On the census night in 2013 the population of the Raglan Ward was 4,290. The population estimate as at 30th June 2015 shows the population as 5,510. A recent media release (https://www.raglan23.co.nz/2017/relief-in-the-pipeline-for-raglans-tourists/) by WDC gave a figure of 5,350. The same council’s Open Waikato division says the population was 4240 in 2016. The area with reticulated water is smaller than this. Until the next census we only have population estimates to go by. So the population may be down or it may be up. My guess is probably up.