Sprinkler ban as leaks continue
Leaks springing up around the region are a constant reminder of the reasons behind the impending water crisis.
There is a one in three likelihood of serious water restrictions, thanks to 40-50% of the region’s water going, literally, down the drain.
Lawns are a bit drier today as the region heads into day two of level 2 water restrictions, a sprinkler ban where only hand-held watering is allowed.
But there was some good news yesterday – the month-old leak outside Jean Jacques Hair Design on Lambton Quay was fixed.
This afternoon, Wellington Water will give its verdict on the likelihood of more severe water restrictions coming into force.
Currently there’s a 76% chance of level 3
restrictions (where all residential outdoor use is banned) and a 33% chance of llevel 4 (where there are indoor limits as well).
The last time Wellingtonians faced an outdoor ban was in March 2013, when one of the Macaskill storage lakes in Upper Hutt was being earthquake strengthened.
Spokesperson John Donnachie said that the water organisation hadn’t heard too many complaints of inappropriate sprinkler use under level 2.
“We expect the majority of the community to do the right thing,” he said.
Wellington City Council spokesperson Richard MacLean also said there had been no more calls than normal.
In the meantime, people have been stocking up on emergency water and preparing their new 200-litre emergency water tanks.
Councillor Ray Chung shared his advice about the best way to use the tanks. He has had two tanks installed for years.
“The best way to use them is to fit them to a downpipe from the roof so that it fills automatically when it rains. They do need periodic cleaning, as I regularly find slugs and leaves in my tank from the roof and gutters. I typically use the water from this tank for my aquarium and watering the garden.
“A suggestion when using the straps to tie the tank to the wall of the house, is to drill the hooks holding the straps to a stud, as there have been reports of in an earthquake, the tanks have fallen over pulling the weatherboards away from the studs.”
Councillor John Apanowicz – who lives in Ōhāriu Valley – said his advice was that 200 litres is not enough. He manages his own rural water supply with a tank of 100,000 litres, to cover his family as well as five horses and two donkeys.
“My advice to people is to go bigger and buy a 1000-litre tank at least.”