Keeping the bores at bay

Keeping water consumption down is the best way of keeping the bores at bay, Acting Group Manager Assets & Services Sean Mallon said today.

With little rain over the past few weeks and the level of the Waikanae River dropping, the Waikanae Borefield is likely to be needed by next Wednesday (December 8) to supplement the river supply.

“The river is currently running at just over 1200 litres per second. At that level under our consent conditions we can take around 21 million litres a day,” Mr Mallon said.

“If consumption remains at the levels we have seen recently of around 16.5 million litres per day that gives us a little bit of head room and we should be able to manage through this coming weekend by balancing river supply and reservoir storage, but we need to keep our consumption down.

“Forecasts are for the current hot dry weather to continue and we promised to advise consumers when there is a possibility of the bores being introduced.”

If bore water is required, then it will be combined with river water to the extent necessary to ensure the supply is sufficient to meet demand.

“If people can keep consumption down then that will reduce the amount of borewater we will need to supplement the river water. Saving on water really does help to keep the bores at bay,” Mr Mallon said.

“We will keep the community advised on borewater use. Residents can also check our Water Watch page in the Quick Links on the front page of our website to see how much borewater is being used.”

ENDS

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