Council to clamp down on water use

CONSERVE: The council is to promote responsible use of water. PHOTO/FILE

Water use by South Wairarapa residents is to be targeted by the district council.

A strategy for water conservation was adopted by South Wairarapa District Council at its meeting last month. The goal is to cap water consumption at 2014 levels in a bid to reduce demand for water at times of low river flows when environmental impacts of water takes are high.

Measures already introduced such as water metering and charging for water had led to a "slight reduction" in use but demand on supplies is predicted to rise. Supply comes from a "run of the river" system, from rivers and aquifers, meaning they are significantly affected by weather conditions, low river flows or spikes in consumption.

Over the past 10 years, aquifer levels have declined and the population in urban areas is increasing, according to Greater Wellington Regional Council.

The amount of water taken for farm pasture irrigation has also more than doubled over the same period.

"Groundwater levels in some Wairarapa aquifers are declining year by year," the regional council said. "This can affect the flow of springs and rivers and streams and water levels in wetlands can eventually dry up, permanently affecting ecosystems."

Over the next three years, SWDC plans to promote conservation methods, targeting water wasters with extra enforcement action using the council's bylaw, increase monitoring of unaccounted water loss and to work with Martinborough vineyards to get them to shift to alternative water sources.

Planning and environment group manager Murray Buchanan said, in other regions there were signs advising of water levels, and advertising would be a focus for the next three years.

There would be "more overt publicity around using water wisely", he said, adding in seasonal shortages, new water pricing methods could be used.

If the target isn't being met in 2018, the council will consider making water more expensive in summer or in a drought with "seasonal pricing regimes".

It may also consider larger reservoirs, employing an environmental education worker or introducing new rules requiring installation of water conservation devices like low-flow showers, water-saving toilets, front-loading washing machines, rainwater storage tanks and greywater supply systems. These could possibly be subsidised.