Continuing hot, dry weather conditions has forced Waipa District Council to introduce a district-wide ban on all sprinklers and automated watering systems.
The ban takes effect immediately.
The hot, dry weather means that Cambridge’s treatment plant is having to treat the effects of increased blue green algae, while at Pukerimu, the pumps are working overtime to try and meet demand. Council’s Engineering Manager, John Kerr, says the unusually long dry spell has plant capacity working at its limit most of the time.
“We are running at full capacity all of the time, which means our margin for emergencies is significantly reduced. As the dry spell is forecasted to continue, we have to introduce restrictions on use, and ask that everyone plays their part in decreasing the demand on our water supplies.”
Rural residents are also asked to reduce their water usage. Farms on the Pukerimu rural water supply manage their water via individual on-farm storage tanks, but the sprinkler and automated water system bans will still apply.
Mr Kerr says that tanker loads of town water heading out to farms may also have to be restricted.
“If demand does not ease, it may become necessary for Council to limit the supply of water to these tankers.”
Water usage and weather conditions will be continually monitored, but the sprinkler and automated watering system bans will be in place until further notice.
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