11 January 2021

From 5pm Tuesday 12 January residents of Featherston and Greytown are being asked not to use sprinklers, irrigation systems or unattended hoses, and to use hand-held watering devices only to water their garden. This is on top of the year-round, alternate-day watering restriction, which allows for even-numbered houses to water on even-numbered dates and odd numbered on odd dates.

The move to this next level of watering restrictions follows close monitoring of consumption over the past few weeks, as well as similar announcements by other districts in the region.

Water restrictions in Martinborough remain unchanged as supply and demand continues at a manageable level, with access to two more bores which can be made available by switching on the town’s new manganese reduction plant.

SWDC Partnerships and Operations group Manager Euan Stitt says the stricter restrictions are necessary as part of a multifaceted approach to ensuring there is enough water for everyone all summer long.

“We were fortunate to receive good rainfall in November and December, but with river levels low and a dry spell forecast, the current, unsustainable level of water consumption across the two towns is likely to increase, so we need to tighten the restrictions.

“We don’t take these decisions lightly and Council is also playing its part. We have instructed Wellington Water to give high priority to finding and fixing leaks across the towns’ water network, which continued throughout the holiday period, and will continue as required.

“Work to commission an additional bore to supply Featherston and Greytown is ongoing and we look forward sharing news on that as soon as we can,” says Mr Stitt.

Information and updates on current water restrictions for all three South Wairarapa towns, along with further tips on how to conserve water, is available at wellingtonwater.co.nz/SWDC.

ENDS

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Amy Wharram
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