Water restrictions now in place in Levin

Levin is in the midst of a water shortage.

Levin is now at level 3 water supply restrictions. Last week the town was at level 4.

For gardeners this means that garden sprinklers and soak hoses must not be used at any time.

Handheld hoses, watering cans or buckets may only be used on Tuesdays and Thursdays 7pm to 9pm.

In public parks, gardens and road reserves watering is done by bore water only.
Hosing down of paved areas is prohibited unless cleaning is required as a result of an accident, fire, health hazard or other emergency.

The use of a bucket filled directly from a tap is permitted at any time.

Newly constructed swimming pools and spas must not be filled for the first time without the written permission of council.

Existing swimming pools and spas must not be topped up except by means of handheld hoses, watering cans or buckets filled directly from taps.

Filling up of portable swimming pools is now strictly prohibited.

Water must not be used to clean windows except by means of a bucket or watering can filled directly from a tap. For the cleaning of cars, trucks, boats, jet skis, motorbikes and bicycles water must not be used for cleaning except by means of a bucket or watering can filled directly from a tap.

Horowhenua District Council's water services engineer, Levaai Toremana, said, "The weather has been hot and dry since mid-October, and river flows are now critically low. We got some rain on Boxing Day, but unfortunately it wasn't enough to make a sustained difference," she said.

This why early last week the Levin and Ohau were put on Level 4 water restriction. This has now changed down to Level 3. Ms Toremana said that when flows in the Ohau River drop below the 820 l/s threshold, council has to reduce the water take from 15,000 cubic metres to 13,000 cubic metres per day as a condition of its resource consent.

"We strongly urge everyone to conserve water and to use this opportunity to consider water storage options they can use now and in the future."

Ms Toremana said there's a lot people can do at home to use water wisely. People can collect clean wastewater from the shower, bath or rinsing dishes to water their garden, and collect water in buckets or a storage tank when it does rain.

In addition, people should turn off taps while brushing teeth or shaving, check for leaks in pipes and cisterns, take shorter showers, do only full loads in the dishwasher and washing machine, use a plug in the sink when washing vegetables or dishes, and install a dual-flush toilet, she said.

Residents can obtain further information on the water services page of the council's website: http://www.horowhenua.govt.nz/Services/Water-Services/Water/Water-Restrictions#section-3

www.horowhenua.govt.nz, or by contacting Horowhenua District Council on (06) 366-0999 or enquiries@horowhenua.govt.nz