Dob-in-a-neighbour call in parched North

Much of the Far North has been without rain since last November, leaving pastures drought-stricken. Photo / Christine Cornege

A tough crackdown on water use - including business closures and a call for people to dob in neighbours using garden sprinklers - is being lined up in the Far North as drought continues to wring the region dry.

Several towns have critical water shortages and the Far North District Council is turning to regulation, enforcement, rationing and compulsory restrictions to keep sufficient flows going to protect public health.

"We have to reduce the amount of water people are using right now," council infrastructure and asset general manager David Penny said yesterday.

"This is the only way we will get through this drought with enough water to maintain a supply to people's homes."

Mr Penny warned that some businesses which were heavy water users could soon be shut down.

"We will start with those that can reduce their water use without affecting their viability and shut down all or part of some businesses if that's what we need to do to keep water in people's homes."

Much of the Far North has been without rain since November. Only a band across the Bay of Islands benefited from the February 1-3 downpour which brought some relief to Whangarei and other southern parts of the region. Predictions are for at least two more weeks without rain in the parched Far North.

A total ban on the use of garden hoses was extended from Kaitaia to Opononi and Omapere yesterday and may have to include Rawene within the next week or two.

Council enforcement staff will look for people flouting the ban and act on complaints from people who see their neighbours watering their gardens.

Complaints will be handled anonymously.

The council wants people to stop using dishwashers. Restrictive devices are to be installed in pipes to reduce the flow of water from household taps at Opononi and Omapere.

The Far North District Council is asking the Northland Regional Council for permission to take water from the Awanui River and the Waiotemarama Stream at Opononi below the levels permitted by district council resource consents.

District council staff are also considering treating reservoir supplies that are contaminated with algae - such as Kaitaia's Kauri Dam - using untreated supplies, and trucking water to communities that need it.

A campaign to reduce water consumption by 20 per cent in Kaitaia made no real progress and the district council aims to step it up with printed messages delivered direct to houses, talkback radio, roadside signs and regular reports in the Northland Age.

"The situation is bordering on critical and it looks as if we'll have to play every card we've got to get through this," Mr Penny said.

"If everyone saves some water, we'll have a much better chance of getting through this crisis."

Water saving tips are on the council's website: www.fndc.govt.nz