Water use eases

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CITY water use fell dramatically after the council imposed the first water restrictions before Christmas.

Water utilities manager Neville West says the public response to the call to conserve water has been huge.

The city water demand had averaged 23,000 cubic metres a day up to the time sprinkler restrictions were imposed on December 20. (Sprinklers can only be used from 6am-8am.)

“Since the sprinkler restrictions came in and the rain last week, the daily average has dropped back to 16,200 cubic metres,” Mr West said.

“That is a huge reduction in use and is a great response from the public.”

Mr West said thanks to the water conservation shown by the public and the recent rain, the water situation for Gisborne city now looked better.

“If we continue using our water wisely then further restrictions are unlikely at this stage.

“The sprinkler restriction will remain in force.”

The highest-day water consumption in the city reached 27,100m3 on December 13, and that sparked the level 1 restriction on sprinklers.

“Mangapoike dam levels at the time the water restrictions were introduced sat at 85 percent full,” he said.

“The dam levels dipped to 83.2 percent on Christmas Day but with replenishment from the rain and reduced consumption, they have recovered to 86.5 percent full.”

Mr West said the next major impact on water usage would be the increase associated with industrial processing expected towards the end of January.

“The decision to restart the Waipaoa Water Treatment Plant to preserve storage in the Mangapoike Dams will be made over the next 10 days.”

The water treatment plant has been shut down since December 20.