New look water restriction signs prepare for summer

Despite this week’s rain and more predicted next week, indications are that the Far North could be in for a hot, dry summer requiring residents and visitors to conserve precious water supplies.

To help promote the conservation message and to inform residents and visitors of possible water restrictions, new look water restriction signs will begin appearing outside supermarkets, petrol stations and other retailers around the district this week.

The signs feature an updated design with new icons that focus on the four restriction levels and more clearly show what types of water use will be restricted at each level. A new te reo message Tiaki ngā wai also encourages users to protect this precious resource.

Restrictions on water use are applied to council water supplies to protect the district’s water sources – rivers, streams and aquifers – and to ensure continued supply of water during extended periods of dry weather. All eight council water supplies are currently at Level 1, which does not restrict water use but asks consumers to use water sensibly.

As new water restrictions are applied to specific council water supplies, local retail signs will be updated to display what that level is.

The four water restriction levels displayed on the sign are:

• Level 1: There are no water restrictions but please use water sensibly.
• Level 2: You cannot use outdoor sprinklers.
• Level 3: You cannot use any outdoor sprinklers or hoses.
• Level 4: Essential water use only – cleaning, cooking and washing. There is no outdoor water use from council supplies.

The retail signs have been delivered to Kawakawa-Moerewa, Kaikohe-Ngāwhā, Paihia-Waitangi-Ōpua, and Kerikeri-Waipapa. Retail outlets in the Hokianga and Kaitāia will begin displaying the new signs by the end of this week.

The new water restriction icons have also been included on large roadside signs that are installed at key intersections within communities with council water supplies when Level 2 restrictions (or higher) are applied. The new Tiaki ngā wai, Save water now signs will include a banner below that clearly shows what level is being applied (i.e. Level 2, Level 3 or Level 4), what water use is being restricted and where the restriction applies. The large roadside signs will only be removed when a town returns to Level 1 – no restrictions.

The council’s Water Shortage Management Committee is currently meeting weekly to analyse information about the health of our water sources and river flow levels. This week a presentation by NIWA Taihoro Nukurangi (National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research) will help the committee to better predict how the weather will impact water sources over the summer months.

The committee makes its decisions on protecting water sources based on the best information available at the time. However, ensuring the district’s precious water taonga are not overused requires all water users to play their part. Please take note of the water restriction levels displayed around your town and be sure to play your part to Tiaki ngā wai, care for our waters.