Auckland City Council relaxes water restrictions after drought rules

Auckland City Council has unanimously decided to ease water restrictions slightly this summer.

The city has not been allowed to use water outdoors since early May.

But starting December 14, outdoor hoses can be used, as long as the hose is hand-held and with a trigger nozzle.

It goes on to say that no other outdoor water use is allowed.

The decision is based on Watercare advice and projected rainfall.

Watercare had told council officials they believed there was enough water and rains were projected for the summer to ease restrictions after one of the worst droughts in the city’s history.

Since May 16, the city’s 1.7 million residents have been banned from washing cars, houses, and gardening with an outdoor hose in response to the city’s dam levels dropping to dangerously high levels. low as a result of the long summer drought.

The rules were relaxed on October 12 to allow companies to use hoses with a trigger nozzle outdoors. Commercial car washes were also resumed and sports fields, plants and pastures could be watered with irrigation systems equipped with soil moisture or rain sensors.

Auckland Mayor Phil Goff this week praised residents for adhering to the restrictions, saying the city had saved 7 billion liters of water.

“Auckland residents have been fantastic in responding to the call to conserve water, with residents and businesses saving around 7 billion liters of water since the restrictions were put in place.

“However, with storage dams still 19 percent below average for this time of year, we are still not out of the woods.”

Auckland residents were still being asked to continue their water-saving habits, Goff said.

Watercare Liaison Councilor Linda Cooper warned that the restrictions could return in the future.

“Taking care of a garden and growing fruits and vegetables is important to the well-being of many Auckland residents, as is doing those summer chores around the house, like flushing and washing the house.

“Using trigger nozzles and continuing to use water with care and moderation is vitally important. However, if water use gets out of control, we may need to consider re-imposing stronger restrictions, so everyone we must do our part to continue saving water. “

Acting Watercare CEO Marlon Bridge said today’s decision would allow residents to water their gardens, fill pools, unload boat motors, and wash their homes and cars, but only using a handheld hose fitted with a spray nozzle. trigger.

“Residential sprinklers and irrigation systems are not allowed. Home water jets with trigger nozzles can also be used.”