QLDC issues immediate water restrictions for Arrowtown

The Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) has today issued water restrictions for Arrowtown to help conserve rapidly dropping reservoir levels.

The following restrictions are effective immediately and until further notice:

• No sprinklers or outdoor hosing

• Switch off all irrigation and automatic watering systems

• Watering gardens and lawns is only permitted using a hand-held watering can or bucket filled directly from a tap.

Erin Moogan, QLDC Maintenance & Operations Manager, Property & Infrastructure said continuing hot weather and low rainfall had coincided with peak demand on the local water supply.

“This combination of dry weather and unprecedented demand has resulted in Arrowtown’s reservoir not replenishing sufficiently over successive nights. Storage is currently sitting just above 55%. With the holiday population expected to remain high for the next few weeks we’re calling on all residents, visitors and local businesses to reduce usage now so the reservoir can refill.

“With everyone’s co-operation we can avoid reaching critical levels that could result in a boil water notice,” said Ms Moogan.

Reservoir levels will be assessed at 10am tomorrow (Thursday 4 January) followed by an update on QLDC’s website and Facebook page.

ENDS

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