Voluntary water restrictions in place
Dunedin (10 January 2015) – The Dunedin City Council is asking residents to voluntarily conserve water due to the warm weather,
dry conditions and decreasing water levels in the city’s tributaries.
“We are asking people just to hold off on using water for some activities until we get some rain relief, and
particularly over the next few days when we expect many people to be returning from holidays. We aren’t asking people to
go without the necessities, we are just wanting them to think about when and how they use water in their gardens, ponds,
pools and when cleaning their cars and boats until we get some rain,” says the DCC’s Group Manager Water and Waste
Laura McElhone.
Residents can voluntarily conserve water by watering gardens and lawns with watering cans or buckets, or a hand held
hose in preference to sprinklers. If sprinklers have to be used their use should be restricted to between 8pm and 8am.
Filling ponds should also be done between these hours and by using a hand held hose, while private fountains are best
turned off.
Water-blasting or washing of belongings such as boats are best done between 8pm and 8am and should be done on grassy
areas.
“We appreciate those who are already making an effort to conserve water and those who are going to adopt the voluntary
restrictions. We will advise the public when such measures are no longer necessary,” says Dr McElhone.
ENDS