The whole of the Waipā District will move to Water Alert Level 2 today as the community continues to be impacted by storm damage.
The decision follows significant damage to infrastructure at Te Tahi Water Treatment Plant during the recent severe weather event. That damage reduced capacity and resilience across the district’s water network and has meant emergency water conservation measures for Pirongia township.
Water services manager Karl Pavlovich said moving to Alert Level 2, which requires residents and businesses to reduce non-essential outside water use, will help protect supply for the whole community.
In Alert Level 2, sprinklers can only be used on alternate days – even-numbered addresses on even dates, and odd-n umbered addresses on odd dates – between 6am–8am and 6pm–8pm. Residents are also asked to avoid hosing hard surfaces, use trigger nozzles on hoses, cover pools, and shorten showers.
“While we’re in a State of Emergency, we’re asking all residents to be careful with water use outside.”
Emergency conservation measures in Pirongia will remain until after the supply is switched to a new connection at Te Awamutu’s Frontier Road, planned for Sunday.
“Pirongia’s system remains fragile following the storm damage,” Pavlovich said. “We need to make sure the new configuration is performing the way we expect.”
There is likely to be a stepped process for easing the emergency restrictions over the coming week as testing continues. If conditions allow, Pirongia may move to Alert Level 3 midweek, subject to review.
The remainder of the district is expected to stay at Alert Level 2 until early autumn.
Waipā remains under a State of Emergency due to severe flooding and slips that damaged roads, bridges and water infrastructure across the western side of the district. Water restrictions are part of ensuring essential services remain secure while response work continues.
Residents can find full details of water alert levels and restrictions on the Council website. Signage is being installed this afternoon.
For more information about the water alert levels and water saving tips, visit www.smartwater.co.nz
