Water alert level 1 triggered ahead of long hot summer
Hamilton, Waikato and Waipa have all moved to Water Alert Level 1 – sprinklers between 6am-8am and 6pm-8pm, hand held hosing at any time.
Representatives from Hamilton City Council and Waikato and Waipa District Councils have been meeting to discuss action plans for summer under the combined Smart Water initiative.
Smart Water Co-ordinator Sally Fraser explains, there are a lot of factors to consider before water alert levels can be put in place.
“We closely monitor water use, weather predictions and trends from previous summers to guide how we manage water.”
Water usage has seen a significant peak across the council regions and current weather predictions suggest one of the most significant El Nino climate patterns seen since 1950.
Sally’s asking everyone to prepare for a long, dry summer and to be smart with their water use.
“Water conservation is always important, but this summer could mean some special challenges. Everybody can make some small changes to their water usage that can save a lot of water each day. Together that makes a massive difference across the region.”
An e-newsletter alert is now available at www.smartwater.org.nz for everyone to subscribe and receive water alert notifications direct to their inbox. Subscribers also go in the draw for monthly prizes!
“There’s enough water for everyone if everyone plays their part.”
The Smart Water Starts with You! sub-regional summer campaign aims to make long-term change to how we use water and is a joint venture between Hamilton City Council, Waikato District Council and Waipa District Council.
About the Water Alert level system:
The Water Alert Levels and their corresponding requirements are a way to use water in a sustainable manner and ensure consistent supply throughout summer. The water alert level system consists of four alert levels and matching requirements.
The restrictions for Water Alert Level 1 and 2 do not apply to commercial/non-residential properties.
Water Alert Level 1
Use sprinkler systems between 6am – 8am and 6pm – 8pm
Hand-held hosing can be used anytime
Water Alert Level 2
Use sprinkler systems on alternate days between
6am – 8am and 6pm – 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
In Raglan “There’s enough water for everyone”, even if no one plays their part. No one’s yet explained what they’re going to do with the water saved. The spring just keeps flowing.
I agree John. I’ve asked WDC to provide water usage figures for Raglan to back up their claim that usage has increased. These alert level systems are good for places like Sydney and Melbourne where thay have giant reservoirs that need to be conserved to last over a dry summer. They make no sense at all for Raglan where there is no reservoir and the spring flows all the time.
In December you “asked WDC to provide water usage figures for Raglan”. Did they?
Response received from WDC below. Essentially they said that water saving by Raglan allows them to spill more water. I included this info in a post at the time.
Regards,
Rodger
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Hi Rodger
By the Raglan community using 692m3 less water this year compared to the first week in December 2014, it means the Council did not collect that extra 692m3 from the Omahina spring. This means that there is more water available for the many natural eco-systems that rely on this water to be sustainable.
Narelle Barrowcliffe
Senior Communications Advisor
Waikato District Council
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From: Rodger Gallagher [mailto:rwg@cvm.co.nz]
Sent: Tuesday, December 08, 2015 1:27 PM
To: Narelle Barrowcliffe
Subject: Re: [raglan_23] Enquiry – Water usage
Hi Narelle
You’ve said, ”
With the introduction of water restrictions on 1 December, we then saw 10,570m3 of water being used in the first week, a minimal increase compared to the 11,262m3 of water used in the first week of December 2014.”
As Raglan used 692 cu metres of water less in the 1st week of December than last year, what will Council be using the 692 cu metres saved water for?
Thanks,
Rodger