Residents of three Far North towns who hose their cars, fill their pools or even water their gardens could face a $20,000 fine as the Far North District Council moves to keep pace with worsening drought conditions.
The council is prohibiting commercial car washing facilities - both automated and "do it
yourself" - truck washing facilities and waterblasting.
Also banned are watering lawns and gardens, washing private cars, windows, houses, decks and pathways with anything other than a bucket, and filling, re-filling or topping up swimming pools and spa pools. People can still water their gardens and lawns as long as they use grey water.
Failure to comply with the prohibitions can result in enforced restrictions to business and residential water supplies and/or a fine of up to $20,000.
The bans come into force from Tuesday in Kaitaia and on Wednesday in Opononi and Omapere.
Asset and infrastructure manager David Penny said the prohibitions gave the council the teeth it needed to restrict water and instigate legal action against those who continued to do any of the activities on the list.
Additional warranted monitoring staff would be enforcing the bans from the middle of next week.
Last week's rain had caused a pleasing spike in Awanui River levels but the benefit was destined to be very short-lived without further meaningful rain.
"The situation has improved a little now but ... we must bring Kaitaia's water consumption down, voluntarily or by force."
The council was preparing a strategy based around water tankers, water containers and non-potable water should the worst happen and the reticulated water supply run out.
"Whatever happens, though, we will make sure that water is available to the people of Kaitaia, even if it is in a very limited form."
The Opononi and Omapere water source at Waiotemarama Stream is also under extreme pressure and contingency plans are being developed so water supplies can be maintained if it can no longer be used.
The council has reduced water pressure in Kaitaia, Opononi and Omapere.
