08 February 2007

Commonsense water use urged

As summer finally arrives Kapiti Coast District’s Mayor Alan Milne is urging people in the Raumati, Paraparaumu and Waikanae area to take a commonsense approach to outdoor water use.

“We’ve dealt with the issue of reliable supply and we have no problem providing the 23,000,000 litres per day that our consent provides for but the hot, dry weather over Waitangi weekend caused water use in the area to climb to more than 21,500,000 litres on Waitangi Day.

“That’s more than 600 litres per person per day and that’s much higher than in other parts of New Zealand. Our long term aim is to have a consumption level of around 400 litres per person per day in the summer season.

“There is no water supply problem but, when it gets hot and dry it’s difficult to sustain so many people using sprinklers every other day. .

“We must remain within our consent. In summer the best way to achieve that is moderation and that’s why we have a water use level of hand held hoses at any time as our standard summer level,” Mr Milne said

The Council has now set the summer water use regime for the central area from Thursday, February 8, 2007 at Hand Held Hoses Anytime.

If anyone needs advice on watering the garden so they don’t have to spend time lugging around the hose they can make an appointment with the Council’s Green Gardener on 296 4700.

ENDS

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