Water savings campaign launches ahead of hot, dry summer forecast.

We could be in for a long, hot, dry summer so we're starting out now with early water conservation messages.

From this weekend we've started a radio campaign on Coromandel More FM about ways to save on water, and you'll also notice some water conservation signage going up over the next few days in places where we often need to put in sprinkler and hose restrictions like Tairua, Pauanui and Whangamata.

Currently we have no water restrictions in place, but we are seeing quite high usage in several of our Eastern Seaboard supplies like Whangamata, as visitors and holiday-makers start to arrive.

So we're asking everyone to think about water use and not waste it.If water restrictions need to be introduced we'll be posting to our Facebook page, an alert on the front page of our website and our water restriction page and you can also listen out daily to Coromandel More FM.
Top 5 smart water conservation tips

1. Wait until you can do full loads before you wash dishes or use the washing machine.
2. Don’t run the water when brushing your teeth.
3. For cool drinking water, fill a jug and keep it in the fridge. Running water to cool it down can waste 10 litres a minute.
4. For lawns, apply the ‘step test’ – if grass springs back after you walk on it, it doesn’t need watering.
5. If your toilet has a dual flush button, use the half flush.
And remember if it's dry, think about fire risks too.
Key fire safety tips include:
1. Make sure your property has good access for firetrucks, and to water supplies.
2. Have a well-practiced escape plan so everyone knows what to do if there is a fire.
3. Call 111 immediately if you see any smoke.
4. Maintain a defendable area free of vegetation around your home
5. Store firewood in a cool dry place, not next to your home. It will dry out with the sun and heat and ignite easily.
6. Be vigilant when carrying out activities with machinery that causes sparks and ignite a fire. Dampen down the surrounding area beforehand, and undertake the activity first thing in the morning when it is coolest.
7. Remember to check the fire season here as these activities may be fully prohibited due to the high risk of them starting a fire.
Use this fire safety checklist to help make sure your property is safe from vegetation fires this summer

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