Waikato District Council says that there is no water shortage in Raglan. General Manager Service Delivery Tim Harty speaking from the Council’s Ngaruawahia HQ said. “Raglan is not experiencing a demand that can’t currently be met by the springs.” So he confirmed what we know from past experience; there is plenty of water available all summer at the Riki Springs to provide the water that Raglan needs.
So even though there is no shortage, Waikato District Council along with Hamilton City and Waipa District has started up its Water Alert campaign. Borrowed from cities like Melbourne where an alert system makes sense as they depend on large reservoir storage dams for their water supply, the PR approach makes no sense when the water is sourced from rivers and springs on a daily basis. In our case either the water is there or it isn’t. Conserving water achieves nothing other than saving the councils some electricity to pump it around. And given the huge increases in water rates over the last few years, WDC needs to deliver water not ask us to cut back on usage.
Mr Harty went on to say, “Raglan is not experiencing a demand that can’t currently be met by the springs. However, this is not the message we are intending to deliver to our collective communities by going to alert level one.
As we’ve highlighted in the past, Council’s first priority is to educate the community on how they can better manage water use for their immediate and long-term needs and fortunately Raglan’s water use records show the community is taking that message on board with current consumption well below last year’s summer peak. However, it’s only the start of this fantastic weather so we need to be cautious.”
So it seems with all of musical corporate chairs at Ngaruawahia we have a GM who doesn’t understand the water usage patterns in the tourist destination of Raglan. No Mr Harty, while Raglanders are frugal water users, the reason why current water usage is below last season’s peak is that the tourist peak hasn’t occurred yet.
Here is the Waikato Distrcit Council’s Media Release about the Water Alert:
Waikato district moves to Water Alert Level 1
20 November 2013
Residents in the Hamilton, Waikato and Waipa districts are being asked to limit the use of sprinkler systems following today’s introduction of Water Alert Level 1.
Water Alert Level 1 means residents can use their sprinklers between 6-8am and 6-8pm with hand-held hoses allowed at any time.
Hamilton City Council City Waters Manager Andrew Parsons said Alert Level 1 has been put in place at this early stage because recent water demand is a lot higher than what is usually expected for November even with the rainfall on Tuesday.
“In Hamilton at this time of year, the long term average daily water use is around 53 million litres. On Monday this week, we used 72.9 million litres – the fifth highest consumption day that we’ve experienced over the last 13 years during the month of November” said Mr Parsons.
“Water conservation is often only thought about in the summer months but it is really important that people start acting to reduce demand now.”
Waikato District Council Service Delivery General Manager Tim Harty is also urging residents to follow the Alert Level 1 requirements immediately.
“Everyone in our district has a part to play on conserving water now and in the future. Making small changes, such as limiting the use of your sprinkler in your garden or fixing a leaking tap, can have a positive impact on water levels.”
About the Water Alert level system:
The Water Alert Levels and their corresponding requirements are a way to encourage water use in a sustainable manner and ensure consistent supply throughout summer.
The water alert level system consists of four alert levels and corresponding requirements:
Water Alert Level 1
Use sprinkler systems between
6-8am and 6-8pm
Hand-held hosing can be used anytime.
Water Alert Level 2
Use sprinkler systems on alternate days between
6-8am and 6-8pm
Hand-held hosing can be used anytime.
Water Alert Level 3
No use of sprinklers.
Hand-held hosing only.
Water Alert Level 4
No use of outside water systems.