The heat is on - early prep for incoming El Niño

Far North District Council staff are preparing early for possible water shortages ahead of what could be one of the strongest El Niño events in recent history.

The weather phenomenon is expected to bring hotter and drier-than-usual conditions to the Far North during spring and summer, potentially impacting communities that often face drought conditions through the warmer months.

The council’s Water Shortage Management Committee, which is usually stood up at the start of each summer, will now begin meeting regularly this month.

The committee brings together expertise from across the council, including infrastructure, communications, and water services contractors. Committee members assess the health of the district’s water sources, river flow levels, and weather forecasts from the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA) to gauge likely demand for water over summer months.

The committee makes recommendations on possible water restrictions based on the latest water flow and consumption data, and the water-take consent levels set by Northland Regional Council.

FNDC is responsible for eight water supplies and 15 wastewater treatment plants across the district. The council has been focused on long-term, resilient solutions to water supply issues as part of its ongoing capital works programme.

These include:

• A major upgrade to Kaikohe’s water treatment plant, including a new 1.5-million-litre storage reservoir to strengthen the town’s resilience to drought
• Supplementary water from two bores at Sweetwater, which is now flowing into Kaitāia homes. This provides an alternative source of high-quality drinking water while reducing pressure on the Awanui River.
• In a Northland first, the council has piloted smart meters in Rāwene. These wi-fi-connected meters provide more accurate consumption readings and help reduce water loss by quickly identifying leaks. This is particularly important for communities, such as Ōpononi and Ōmāpere, where water sources are vulnerable to drought.

Far North residents can also take steps to increase their own water resilience by installing a rainwater tank on their property, whether they are rural or connected to the council water network. This is an ideal outdoor solution for watering gardens or filling pools, for example.

You don’t need building consent to install a rainwater tank as long as the capacity and height above ground requirements are met. Refer to the Building Act 2004 for more details.

For information about installing a tank on your property, and what the requirements are, head to our website.

All residents, whether connected to council water supplies or reliant on water tanks, are encouraged to start thinking now about their water use ahead of the hot and dry conditions heading our way.

Simple water-saving measures can make all the difference in building good habits and protecting this vital resource.

• Only use washing machines and dishwashers when you have a full load
• Turn off the tap while brushing your teeth
• Put the plug in the sink when washing vegetables rather than leaving the tap running
• Flush toilets less often
• Take shorter showers
• Keep a bottle of drinking water in the fridge to avoid running water each time you want a drink.