Date: November 21st, 2014

Fine spell prompts call for water conservation

The recent spell of fine weather and strong drying winds has led to a call for Hastings residents to think seriously about conserving water.

The water flow in the Mangateretere Stream has dropped below150 litres/second which is an indication that, without rain or conservation efforts, water restrictions may be close. Water usage in Hastings spiked over 50,000m3 during the weekend and while the forecast is for a few showers in the next few days, the coming week looks likely to bring more fine weather.

Hastings District Councillor Tania Kerr says “The flow in a number of the district’s waterways and streams is on the decline. Recent rain has deferred the need for formal conservation measures at this time however the implementation of restrictions is on the horizon.”

Tania Kerr says “Council’s water conservation signs will be placed around the district over the next few days in an effort to encourage everyone to reduce their discretionary water usage and to think about using water wisely. Lowering water use today will have a direct impact on future conservation measures.”

“Residents are encouraged to get into the habit of irrigating during the early morning or later evening to avoid waste caused by evaporation, and to make simple changes such as using a broom rather than the hose to remove leaves from the driveway,” Tania Kerr says
Hastings District Council will be promoting a range of water savings initiatives through a targeted marketing campaign over the summer months, while the roadside billboards will keep residents updated on any restrictions that are in place.
Here are some simple tips for saving water:

Outside:

• Do not water your lawn. Let it go brown; it will grow back

• Wash your vehicle on the lawn. This waters the lawn as well

• Water with a hose rather than sprinklers; sprinklers often get forgotten

• Avoid irrigating during the heat of the day. Your garden benefits more from light watering in the early morning or late evening

Inside:

• Consider reducing shower times to 3-5 minutes
• Don’t run the tap continuously when shaving or brushing your teeth

• Only run your dishwasher or washing machine when it's full

• Don't leave the water running when rinsing dishes or washing vegetables

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