Water woes: Sprinkler ban sees Dargaville residents boil amid council inaction

Dargaville residents are angry with Kaipara District Council's water restrictions, with some even suggesting they may flout the sprinkler ban. Photo / Brett Phibbs

Water restrictions in Dargaville have caused an outcry against Kaipara District Council’s inaction on water security, with residents threatening to flout the rules.

The council said it is acutely aware of the need for a more secure water supply in the area, but it has been affected by the now-disbanded Three Waters legislation.

Level 2 water restrictions for Dargaville and nearby Baylys Beach were introduced on Monday.

This means those on town supply must not use sprinklers or an irrigation system to water their garden. Hoses with a trigger nozzle, watering cans, water blasters and buckets can still be used for watering gardens, outdoor washing and filling pools.

The restrictions come as water flows over the Kaihu weirs have reduced rapidly over the past week and there is little rain forecast prior to Christmas, with the council saying further restrictions are a very real prospect.

Mapping from Northland Regional Council shows this area has received low rainfall nearly every month this year, averaging around 70% of normal rain over spring. River flows are marked as “very low”.

But Dargaville Ratepayers & Residents Association chairwoman Rose Dixon said a lack of water has been an issue in western Kaipara for over a decade and should have been a top priority for the council.

“Honestly, local residents are absolutely frustrated with the Kaipara District Council’s lack of urgency in addressing our region’s long-standing water supply issues ... Everyone’s had a guts-full,” Dixon said.

“Summer has barely just started, it’s not even Christmas, and we have a water ban.”

Many gardens are used to produce food and is seems inane to stop watering gardens when it’s still okay to fill a swimming pool, she said.

Ratepayers have recently faced a large increase in water rates and the extent of agitation has resulted in some people saying they will flout the restrictions and contest the fines, Dixon said.

Dargaville Ratepayers & Residents Association chairwoman Rose Dixon says water restrictions have been happening for more than a decade. Photo / Denise Piper

“Although the council has recently begun exploring potential solutions, we are calling for tangible action, not just empty promises.”

Residents have also raised concerns new subdivisions in Dargaville will add to the water demand.

Earlier this year, the council approved the Awakino Precinct private plan change, allowing up to 384 new homes, and a private plan change for Dargaville Racecourse, allowing up to 450 new homes.

A solution is needed, council agrees

Council chief executive Jason Marris agreed water supply for Dargaville is a real challenge during the summer months and a solution is needed to increase the security of supply.

“If we do not do anything, we will continue to see our residents facing water restrictions during summer, which leads to decreased business and resident confidence.”

In 2022, the council allocated $100,000 to investigate an expansion of Waiatua Dam as a possible water storage solution.

Kaipara District Council chief executive Jason Marris, pictured meeting residents, says a water solution could cost up to $17 million. Photo / NZME

But the issue then got tied up with the Three Waters legislation, with the costs of improving the water supply in Dargaville due to be taken over by a giant inter-regional organisation called Entity A.

Entity A was supposed to be formed by July this year, covering all of the drinking water, stormwater and sewage for Northland and Auckland.

When the coalition Government disestablished the Three Waters programme in December 2023, responsibility for drinking water supply fell back on Kaipara District Council.

The council brought investigations to improve Dargaville’s water supply back in-house at this time, Marris said.

In its 2024-2027 Long-Term Plan, the council committed to invest in improving water supply and increase capacity through consent renewal, alternative water sources and storage solutions.

The council is now investigating two options: Connecting to the central government-backed Te Tai Tokerau Water Trust dam on Pouto Peninsula or upgrading the council’s Waiatua Dam on Opanake Rd, north of Dargaville.

“Current estimates for each of these options are between $16 million and $17 million. We hope to have an update on this as part of the Annual Plan process for next year,” Marris said.

He acknowledged the two private plan changes approved for Dargaville this year could also have an impact.

“Staff are aware of the possible growth occurring with recent private plan changes and want to ensure that infrastructure is available to meet that growth.

“This was a key topic of both private plan change hearings and is why staff are investigating the two options above, acknowledging that both options come at significant cost.”

Dixon said a forward-thinking approach is needed, such as state-of-the-art seawater filtration units being used by Gisborne District Council for emergency supply.

This would also address environmental concerns about the way water is treated, with the council using an aluminium-based coagulant, polyaluminium chloride, in its pre-treatment process.

Tests of the Northern Wairoa River earlier this year revealed alarmingly high levels of aluminium in the water.

However, the council said at the time that polyaluminium chloride particles or residue are washed into the wastewater treatment plant, and the council’s testing near the plant showed lower aluminium levels than in other parts of the Northern Wairoa.

Denise Piper is a news reporter for the Northern Advocate, focusing on health and business. She has more than 20 years in journalism and is passionate about covering stories that make a difference.