19 November 2019

South Wairarapa Mayor Alex Beijen is counting on the spirit of community in Martinborough to support the council’s call to conserve water earlier than usual this summer. Council is today giving advance notice of outdoor water restrictions starting 30 November.

The need to use less water is driven by supply being down from four bores to one, the one with the lowest level of manganese to avoid the discolouration caused by its reaction with chlorine.

Mayor Beijen said he was confident that once the community understood they all had a part to play, residents would follow the restrictions for hand-held watering only, on alternate days, rather than use sprinklers or irrigation systems.

“Everyone, including Council, will need to do their bit to ensure there is enough clean, clear and safe drinking water for the whole community, and visitors, throughout the summer.

“It’s important because if the township uses more water than we can supply from the low manganese bore, we will have to use the other bores as well. That could mean the town’s drinking water becoming discoloured. 

“Although safe to drink, the water could lose its clarity due to the reaction between manganese and chlorine – and we don’t want to be serving discoloured water to our families and visitors for the sake of people using sprinklers in their gardens.”

Water for gardens can be collected from roofs and stored. Two-hundred litre water tanks, with installation kit, are available for $105 from Council offices – more information available at swdc.govt.nz.

“It’s looking to be a dry summer so if you love your garden, consider buying a tank. Storing water is also the single best thing that people can do to get prepared for a major earthquake,” says Mr Beijen.

Current water restrictions for all three South Wairarapa towns and information on how to conserve water is available at wellingtonwater.co.nz/SWDC. 

ENDS

Media contact
Amy Wharram
027 252 2863