Saturday, 20 August 2022
Meet the JournalistsPremiumAucklandWellingtonCanterbury/South Island
CrimePoliticsHealthEducationEnvironment and ClimateNZ Herald FocusData journalismKāhu, Māori ContentPropertyWeather
Small BusinessOpinionPersonal FinanceEconomyBusiness TravelCapital Markets
Politics
Premium SportRugbyCricketRacingNetballBoxingLeagueFootballSuper RugbyAthleticsBasketballMotorsportTennisCyclingGolfAmerican SportsHockeyUFC
NZH Local FocusThe Northern AdvocateThe Northland AgeThe AucklanderWaikato HeraldBay of Plenty TimesHawke's Bay TodayRotorua Daily PostWhanganui ChronicleStratford PressManawatu GuardianKapiti NewsHorowhenua ChronicleTe Awamutu Courier
Covid-19
Te Rito
Te Rito
OneRoof PropertyCommercial Property
Open JusticeVideoPodcastsTechnologyWorldOpinion
SpyTVMoviesBooksMusicCultureSideswipeCompetitions
Fashion & BeautyFood & DrinkRoyalsRelationshipsWellbeingPets & AnimalsVivaCanvasEat WellCompetitionsRestaurants & Menus
New Zealand TravelAustralia TravelInternational Travel
Our Green FutureRuralOneRoof Property
Career AdviceCorporate News
Driven MotoringPhotos
SudokuCodecrackerCrosswordsWordsearchDaily quizzes
Classifieds
KaitaiaWhangareiDargavilleAucklandThamesTaurangaHamiltonWhakataneRotoruaTokoroaTe KuitiTaumarunuiTaupoGisborneNew PlymouthNapierHastingsDannevirkeWhanganuiPalmerston NorthLevinParaparaumuMastertonWellingtonMotuekaNelsonBlenheimWestportReeftonKaikouraGreymouthHokitikaChristchurchAshburtonTimaruWanakaOamaruQueenstownDunedinGoreInvercargill
NZ HeraldThe Northern AdvocateThe Northland AgeThe AucklanderWaikato HeraldBay Of Plenty TimesRotorua Daily PostHawke's Bay TodayWhanganui ChronicleThe Stratford PressManawatu GuardianKapiti NewsHorowhenua ChronicleTe Awamutu CourierVivaEat WellOneRoofDriven MotoringThe CountryPhoto SalesNZ Herald InsightsWatchMeGrabOneiHeart RadioRestaurant Hub

Advertisement

Advertise with NZME.
New Zealand

Auckland water crisis: Water storage continues to fall as consumption rises - and it's only going to get worse, say forecasters

19 May, 2020 01:49 AM5 minutes to read
The Upper Nihotupu Reservoir is running at critically low levels, as Auckland water restrictions are put into place from Saturday. Video / Brett Phibbs

The Upper Nihotupu Reservoir is running at critically low levels, as Auckland water restrictions are put into place from Saturday. Video / Brett Phibbs

Michael  Neilson
By
Michael Neilson

Michael Neilson is a senior political reporter for the New Zealand Herald

VIEW PROFILE

Auckland's water storage continues to fall as the big dry bites, and according to weather forecasters it is not going to improve any time soon.

Restrictions came into force on Saturday for the first time since 1994, amid the driest start to the year on record with only about a third of the average rainfall dropping to replenish rapidly depleting storage dams.

But despite calls to conserve water and bans on residents washing cars or watering gardens with outdoor hoses, consumption rose 29 million litres on Monday from the previous day.

This could be due to many businesses returning to work, but at 433 megalitres it was well above the targeted average of 420 megalitres to get through May.

Advertisement

Advertise with NZME.

Meanwhile storage dams, which generally supply about two thirds of the region's water, dropped another 0.2 per cent to 43.7 per cent. The historical average for this time of year is 77 per cent.

READ MORE:
• Auckland water use down slightly as tough rules kick in
• Auckland water woes: Usage down as restrictions kick in but dam levels still falling
• Turn off the tap: $20,000 fines kick in today for Auckland water rogues
• Auckland water crisis: A ban on watering gardens and washing cars set to come into force next month

As of Tuesday afternoon Watercare had received 229 tip-offs about breaches of restrictions, but was taking an "education-first approach" at this stage, and no fines had been issued, a spokeswoman said.

There was a big drop-off from the first three days though with just 28 reports on Tuesday.

Most of the complaints were about commercial car washes that had been using recycled water, which is allowed, the spokeswoman said.

Rogue water users can be hit with fines of up to $20,000.

Related articles

New Zealand

Auckland water shortage: Is treated sewage a future option?

08 May 05:00 PM
New Zealand

'It's a death sentence': Business faces $700k loss over water restrictions

11 May 11:42 PM
New Zealand

'We're frustrated': Hundreds of jobs on the line from water restrictions

14 May 09:34 PM
New Zealand|Politics

Mike Hosking: Auckland's lack of water isn't the sky's fault

17 May 06:26 PM

Watercare had earlier asked breaches to be reported or for residents to have a friendly conversation with anybody seen flouting the restrictions to remind them of the shortage of the precious resource.

People can wash their car or water their garden as long as they use a bucket or watering can rather than a hose, Watercare said.

Advertisement

Advertise with NZME.

Hoses and water blasters are banned for home or business use unless it is for a health, safety, emergency or biosecurity reason, or they use recycled water.

Watercare has said it could introduce a second level of more severe water restrictions that would impact on businesses if dam levels drop below 40 per cent.

Auckland's storage dams are at alarmingly low levels. Photo / Brett Phibbs
Auckland's storage dams are at alarmingly low levels. Photo / Brett Phibbs

Meanwhile, the dry weather is predicted to continue.

According to Watercare, in the past week there was 86 per cent less rain than normal, and next week is looking even worse.

Forecast company Weatherwatch NZ is also predicting more bad news for the region with just 20 millimetres of rain in the next two weeks as high pressure systems continue to dominate.

"On top of the 2020 droughts we also have the 2019-2020 rainfall deficit meaning this dry autumn will be problematic heading into winter for some people and businesses," the forecaster said.

Advertisement

Advertise with NZME.

There was potential for a significant burst of wet weather out of tropical Australia within the next week, with a low growing in the Tasman Sea this weekend.

However, a blocking high pressure to New Zealand's east could keep rainfall totals down in the North Island.

"It's a frustratingly close set-up - and there is still some wiggle room to allow for greater rainfall totals."

Businesses affected by the restrictions, including those in the exterior cleaning industry, have complained the say they are discriminatory towards them and fear there could be job losses.

Troy Hillard, managing director of Wash Rite, which has seven franchises in Auckland, said the ban on the use of hoses and water blasters could cut their revenue by 70 per cent, just as they limp out of Covid-19 impacts.

Several other businesses have contacted the Herald stating the restrictions could lead to job losses.

Advertisement

Advertise with NZME.

Watercare had offered to support businesses with tanks of non-potable water to be used in all water-blasting and cleaning work, and said it would set up stations for collection in Onehunga, Penrose and Albany.

But in an email sent to businesses on Friday it announced although they'd all be open Saturday, from Monday only the Penrose station would be operating.

An Auckland Council spokeswoman said it was seeking to open more distribution sites by the end of this week.

Supercity Property Services director Murray Robertson is concerned about the water restrictions for Auckland businesses. Photo / Brett Phibbs
Supercity Property Services director Murray Robertson is concerned about the water restrictions for Auckland businesses. Photo / Brett Phibbs

The operation on Saturday "went smoothly" with more than 16,000 litres supplied, she said.

Watercare is working to increase its capacity at the Waikato River Water Treatment Plant to take an additional 25MLD. Work is expected to be completed by August.

Watercare currently draws 150MLD from the Waikato River, which makes up just over a third of the region's daily usage.

Advertisement

Advertise with NZME.

To address the short-term shortage, Watercare was also getting Hays Creek Dam in Papakura running again, and re-establishing a mobile treatment plant at a bore in Pukekohe.

Auckland's council-owned and operated swimming pools are remaining closed due to the water restrictions.

Auckland's water shortage

• Stage 1 water restrictions will be in force from May 16 and prohibit the residential use of outdoor hoses and water blasters unless for a health, safety, emergency or biosecurity reason.

• Under stage 1 commercial car washes are also banned unless they use recycled water; and watering of sports fields, plants or paddocks is restricted to those with an irrigation system fitted with soil moisture or rain sensors.

• Watercare further advises residents to keep showers short - four minutes or less, and only run the dishwasher or washing machine when they're full. No restrictions apply to hygiene measures, and people should continue regularly washing their hands consistent with Covid-19 messaging.

Advertisement

Advertise with NZME.

Latest from New Zealand

New Zealand

Roads closed, parking restricted as Parliament protest looms

19 Aug 09:43 AM
New Zealand

One person dead in crash involving pedestrian

19 Aug 07:10 AM
New Zealand|Politics

Ombudsman sends PM 'please explain' over Sharma allegations

19 Aug 07:04 AM
New Zealand|Crime

Kawhia shooting: Mum haunted by frightening escape into darkness with children

19 Aug 04:04 AM
New Zealand

Young candidate hopes to lead Nelson Council

19 Aug 05:59 AM

Most Popular

Ombudsman sends PM 'please explain' over Sharma allegations
New Zealand|Politics

Ombudsman sends PM 'please explain' over Sharma allegations

19 Aug 07:04 AM
Kawhia shooting: Mum haunted by frightening escape into darkness with children
New Zealand|Crime

Kawhia shooting: Mum haunted by frightening escape into darkness with children

19 Aug 04:04 AM
Premium
Cecilia Robinson rejoins My Food Bag board amid 'deeply disappointing' share price
Business

Cecilia Robinson rejoins My Food Bag board amid 'deeply disappointing' share price

19 Aug 05:32 AM

Advertisement

Advertise with NZME.
About NZMEHelp & SupportContact UsSubscribe to NZ HeraldHouse Rules
Manage Your Print SubscriptionNZ Herald E-EditionAdvertise with NZMEBook Your AdPrivacy Policy
Terms of UseCompetition Terms & ConditionsSubscriptions Terms & Conditions
© Copyright 2022 NZME Publishing Limited
TOP