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Auckland’s water restrictions will be eased despite a warning that it could lead to overuse as the impacts of the drought continue in the region.
It means that commercial water users, such as outdoor cleaning companies, would have removed most of the restrictions as of October 12, and bans on residential hoses would be revised in December.
There was only one vote, with two abstentions, with some councilors concerned about the fairness of first easing mandatory restrictions on commercial users.
David White / Stuff
The Upper Nihotupu Dam in Parau at the height of the impact of the drought in May 2020.
The water company Watercare and city officials believed that the significant water savings and additional supply from the Waikato River meant that the restrictions could be lifted, although the drought remains a threat to normal supplies.
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Auckland’s water dams are 67.4% full, up from a 90% norm, and 42% of the city’s current needs come from the Waikato River.
The restrictions were imposed in May after Auckland’s six driest months, following a similar dry spell a year earlier, and supply from the lakes fell to 42 percent.
Watercare is putting several small local water supplies back into service over the next few months and adding new pumps to increase the extraction of the Waikato River next winter by 50 million liters per day.
Water care / Supplied
Watercare is taking water from Western Springs Lake for use by commercial users who do not need potable water
Maungakiekie-Tāmaki District Councilor Josephine Bartley objected to easing restrictions, saying rain forecasts could not be trusted and she was not convinced that Watercare would handle the drought.
“I don’t think Watercare has dealt with this drought very urgently since the issues were raised,” he said.
Waitākere District Councilor Shane Henderson called for the savings made by Auckland residents over the winter to continue.
“My message is that the people of Aucklanders have done very well to get to this point, they have made sacrifices and they have done a brilliant job, let’s get that job done,” Henderson said.
Mayor Phil Goff was concerned that councilors could support easing restrictions for commercial and residential users beginning in early October.
“Will anyone thank us if at the end of [restriction] process are we going to lift restrictions, only to impose even worse restrictions in a couple of months? ” I ask.
David White / Stuff
Raveen Jaduram, CEO of Auckland Council’s Watercare affiliate, is leaving the company after six years.
Goff called the two-step move, which allows business users, such as outside cleaners, to stay in business and retain jobs, as a “balanced approach.”
“We will have to make sure that our messages [to save water] it’s still going strong, ”said Raveen Jaduram, CEO of Watercare. Stuff, One week before, as the decision to recommend lifting the restrictions was still under discussion.
“The drought is not over, the forecast is still for a dry spring, so it is very important that customers know that the problem has not disappeared.”
According to the plan approved by the councilors, companies that normally use water jets, but are prohibited from using tap water outdoors, can do so from October 12 provided that the use is supervised.
Car wash facilities that use normal tap water can also be reopened.
The final step would see a December review of outdoor home use, allowing for manual hoses with trigger controls.
David White / Stuff
Lower Nihotupu Dam in May during Auckland’s drought, has since almost fully recovered.
A total water savings of 5 percent would still be required during what meteorologists expect to be a dry summer.
Watercare hopes to be able to manage dam levels to reach 75 percent overall by early November, a point from which it is confident Auckland could continue unchecked.
Council officials said the risk of a worsening supply was not over.
“For example, if the rainfall is less than expected, more severe water restrictions may be necessary,” said a report considered by councilors.
However, the report supported reconsideration of the restrictions in two steps.
