Media advisory

Wellington water supply situation update – 22 March 2013

Today's data:
Daily target water use (maximum) = 130 million litres (ML)
Yesterday's water use = 131ML
Change from Wednesday = lower by 6ML

Water use dropped back yesterday to just above the target maximum daily water use. River flow rates are below long-term March averages again and continuing to drop.

The 14-day weather outlook continues to show no rain and mainly fine weather for the next 10 days at least. This outlook raises the prospect of our supply rivers returning to pre-rain low levels during this period and the Hutt aquifer or lakes being drawn down again – if water use doesn’t remain low.

We need to maintain the level of water use below 130ML per day. Lower demand helps to preserve our water reserves longer.

Yesterday’s water supply came from:
Rivers: 95ML
Hutt aquifer: 33ML
Storage: decreased by 3ML (within the Regional Council’s distribution network reservoirs)
Storage in Lake 2 was increased by 65ML

River flow rates continue to fall after the recent rain. We remain uncertain how rapidly river flows will return to pre-rain levels and will continue to monitor this critical variable.

Lake 2 is now 100% full.

This morning’s 14-day weather outlook indicates no rain before 3 April – we need to keep demand low.

The outdoor water use ban remains active.

The latest supply graph is attached.

ENDS

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