Editorial: Digging for liquid gold

Ongaonga resident Ian Franklin beside a new jet pump he has installed to gain access to deeper water for his household. Photo / Nicki Harper

Water is often labelled liquid gold.

It may even be more valuable than gold if hot, dry summers become the norm.

Perhaps we should send some gold-diggers down to Tikokino and Ongaonga as it's proving to be as elusive as the precious metal.

Tikokino firefighters have had to replace their pump with one that can reach deeper water. It is the first time in 15 years that they haven't been able to reach water from their bore.

The Otane Fire Service tanker has been bringing water in to fill the tanks at Tikokino while firefighters have been locating nearby swimming pools in case more water was needed.

What use is a fire station without water? The crew simply won't be able to help and will have to rely on crews from further afield.

The situation is not much better in Ongaonga where residents are struggling with the water shortage in their bore and wells.

Like the fire station, some residents are having to replace pumps as surface pumps are no longer able to reach water.

It's a pricey exercise and one many cannot afford.

Seeing the nearby irrigators spraying a constant flow of water is not easy on the eyes for those still paying off their new pumps.

However, those farmers are within their rights to use the water allocated to them within their resource consent.

Mayor Alex Walker said she was aware of the difficulties people were having and would lobby for them on their behalf but unless she performs a rain dance can she really do much?

Hawke's Bay Regional Council need to step in and address residents' concerns that too much water is being taken for irrigation.