9 March 2012

Council reduces water restrictions

The Christchurch City Council has today announced Level 3 water restrictions will be reduced to Level 2 from tomorrow, Saturday, 10 March.

Level 2 water restrictions mean the public will be able to water outdoors everyday, and at any time, using hand-held hoses and watering cans. However, the use of sprinklers and irrigation systems is still prohibited.

Mayor Bob Parker says Christchurch has come along way since water restrictions were first introduced in October last year.

“We have been working incredibly hard to repair as much of the network as possible, and this effort, combined with the public’s support and compliance with the restrictions since October, not to mention the cooler than usual summer, has meant that we are now in position to reduce the level of water restriction down to Level 2.”

Council City Water and Waste Manager, Mark Christison says the major work to wells and reservoirs is progressing quickly, which is great news for the City.

“To date, we have repaired 117 wells, replaced 27 kms of water mains (the length of Christchurch’s CBD to Rangiora) and have completed emergency repairs to 13 reservoirs. This is a huge achievement given the amount of aftershocks we have experienced,” he says.

Mr Christison says that if repairs to the water supply network remain steady, public support of the restrictions continues and the weather stays relatively cool, water restrictions could be completely lifted by April this year.

More information on Level 2 water restrictions can be found on the following website www.becomewaterwise.co.nz

Level 2 water restrictions:

• Hand-held outdoor watering any day and at any time.

• Unattended hoses, sprinklers and garden irrigation systems are not permitted.

ENDS

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