Paihia urged to save water as demand soars

The summer tourism boom is putting a squeeze on Paihia's water supply, which comes from the Waitangi River just upstream of Haruru Falls.

Paihia residents and visitors are urged to conserve water as a sharp increase in use strains the town's water supply.

The summer influx of visitors increases the amount of water used in Paihia but this year the average daily use has soared from 1724 cubic metres to 3000cu m - 500cu m a day more than at this time last year.

Far North District Council acting infrastructure manager Mike Colebrook said the treatment plant, taking water from the Waitangi River upstream of Haruru Falls, is operating 22 hours a day to keep up.

Demand for water is also exceeding the network's ability to deliver water to households and businesses, meaning a drop in pressure at some properties in the higher areas of Paihia.

He urged people in Paihia, Waitangi, Haruru Falls and Opua to reduce water consumption over the next few weeks.

Ways of conserving water included taking shorter showers, turning the tap off while brushing teeth, flushing the toilet less, not using sprinklers or automatic garden irrigation systems and washing the car from a bucket rather than a hose.

"We're not asking people to make drastic changes to their daily routines, but to make small water savings where possible to avoid the need for water restrictions."

Paihia's busiest time for visitors, and hence the highest demand for water, will end after the New Year. A ban on the use of sprinklers and automated irrigation systems is in place in South Hokianga.

The council has put funding in its Long Term Plan 2015-25 to increase Paihia water supply's storage but that is still three years away.