Akaroa water restrictions - summer 2011/2012
Level one water restrictions will be imposed on Saturday 10th December, meaning people with odd-numbered street addresses can water their gardens on odd-numbered days of the month, and those with even-numbered street addresses can water on even-numbered days of the month.
Why are water restrictions necessary?
Water restrictions are necessary because Akaroa's water supplies come from streams which run at low levels during the summer season due to long spells of dry weather. This normally coincides with the busy holiday season in these communities.
Which communities are affected by the water restrictions?
The water restrictions apply to Akaroa, but Banks Peninsula residents and visitors in general are asked to conserve water.
What do the water restrictions involve?
Level 1 - people with odd-numbered street addresses can water their gardens on odd-numbered days of the month, and people with even-numbered street addresses can water on even-numbered days of the month.
Level 3 - hand-held outdoor watering only on alternate days.
Level 4 – total outdoor watering ban.
Could the level of water restrictions increase?
Yes, depending on supply and demand.
How will I know if the level of water restrictions has been increased?
The water restriction signs in Akaroa will indicate the current level of restriction, there will be also be advertising and public notices in the paper. Check our website regularly for updates (www.ccc.govt.nz)
When will the water restrictions be lifted?
The water restrictions are likely to be lifted in March or April 2012.
How will I know when the water restrictions have been lifted?
Lifting of the water restrictions will be advertised in The Press, the Akaroa Mail and the Bay Harbour News. It will also be indicated on the signs in Akaroa.
What are some of the things I can do to conserve water?
Overall, the most preventable form of water over-use is people watering their gardens over summer. The following tips can help reduce water usage:
Check taps and your water meter for leaks.
- Use mulch to keep your garden cool and moist.
Water the garden (on your allocated day) at cooler times of the day, in the morning or evening, to minimise evaporation and water wastage.
Avoid watering on windy days (especially in north westerly conditions) as the wind quickly evaporates water.
Do not hose down paths and driveways – use a broom or blower.
Use a gun nozzle on your hose – this makes it easier to turn the water on and off, preventing water wastage, and it’s easier to direct water where it is required.
Use a bucket filled with water to wash your car.
General information
The Christchurch City Council operates and maintains seven water supplies located at Akaroa, Birdlings Flat, Duvauchelle, Little River, Pigeon Bay, Takamatua and Wainui as well as the Lyttelton Harbour Basin supply that extends from Lyttelton to Diamond Harbour and Governors Bay. There are six water treatment plants, seven main pumping stations and 131 kilometres of water reticulation.
Systems vary from on-demand to restricted supplies. Schemes at Duvauchelle, which includes part of Robinsons Bay, Birdlings Flat, Pigeon Bay, Little River and Wainui, are restricted supplies allowing only one cubic metre of water per day.
Water sources come from artesian wells to spring and stream intakes and treatment methods vary from no treatment in the Lyttelton Harbour Basin to full treatment involving coagulation, filtration and chlorination or UV treatment at other sites around the peninsula.
Around 630 samples from the various treatment plants and 900 samples from the reticulation system are taken each year in the Banks Peninsula area to test for E. Coli in the water supplies.
Water from the reticulation zones is sampled more frequently than required by the New Zealand Drinking Water Standards and special precautions are taken to ensure that our public water supplies do not become polluted. These precautions include having only Council approved contractors work on the pipework and monitoring how the work is carried out.
Reporting water supply problems
To report water supply problems in the Banks Peninsula area please contact:
Akaroa
Office hours: (03) 304 7701
After hours: 0800 800 169
Little River
Office hours: (03) 325 1103
After hours: 0800 800 169
Lyttelton
Phone: (03) 328 8065 (24 hours)
