Water restrictions to be lifted in Hamilton
Water restrictions in Hamilton will be lifted from Monday (6 May) following recent rain and a sustained decrease in water use across the city.
Council is still keeping a close eye on the Waikato River and Lake Taupo, with late May still a critical date for river and lake levels. The barge and pumps which have been brought on to the river as part of the city’s low river level contingency plan will remain in place for testing and until river and lake levels return to more usual levels.
The city’s water restrictions at Water Alert Level 1 came into effect on 27 November 2012, and increased to Water Alert Level 2 on 11 January 2013. A total sprinkler ban at Water Alert Level 3 came into effect on 27 February following a sustained increase in water use, lack of rainfall and forecasts of ongoing hot dry weather. Restrictions dropped to Alert Level 2 on 27 March.
The city’s daily water usage peaked on 30 January when the city consumed 83.7 million litres. In recent weeks water use has remained steady at around 50 million litres a day.
City Waters Acting Unit Manager Eeva-Liisa Wright has praise for water use practices over this summer’s drought.
"A big thanks must go to the city’s residents and commercial and large water users for sticking to restrictions over this exceptional summer. We have been delighted with how responsible and responsive water users have been in taking the water conservation message on board and observing water restrictions through the Smart Water Use alert level system.
"Even though restrictions are now lifted I am confident that residents will continue to use water wisely and maintain acceptable levels of usage.
"Looking ahead it’s important we all understand that while we may have a large river flowing through our city, water is a scarce and limited resource. We all have a part to play in conserving water wherever possible both now and in the future to meet the water demand needs of our growing city."
Hamilton and Waikato’s water alert level system was developed as a regional collaborative effort between Hamilton City Council, Waikato District Council Waipa District Council and Waikato Regional Council and other local authorities to promote proactive water conservation, particularly through summer months. For more information on it visit www.hamilton.co.nz/smartwateruse
Waikato and Waipa districts lifted all water restrictions earlier this week.