Marlborough District Council is asking Picton and Waikawa residents to limit the use of water sprinklers to alternate
days until further notice.
Hot weather, high demand and a reduced water level in Essons Valley dam are pushing the supply to its limit.
Stephen Rooney, Operations and Maintenance Engineer, said that ideally the Essons Valley supply would be operating up to
eight hours a day to provide enough water to meet demand.
“Due to the deteriorating quality of the water in the dam it is getting harder to keep the Essons Valley treatment plant
operating. Last Sunday we only managed to have it online for a couple of hours. This meant that The Elevation reservoir
was down to 35 percent capacity that night.”
“Unfortunately there is no respite on the horizon weather-wise. The forecast is for continued hot weather. While some
rain is forecast for the end of the week it’s likely to be less than 5 mm, so it won’t have much of an impact.”
The restrictions are:Properties with an even-numbered street address can use a sprinkler on even-numbered calendar daysProperties with an odd-numbered street address may use a sprinkler on odd-numbered calendar days
Hand held hoses can continue to be used but please limit their use. Businesses are asked to reduce their water use where
possible.
In addition:Don’t leave automatic irrigation systems running for long periodsIf you have a timer, irrigate at night between the hours of 10.00 pm and 5.00 am, on your allocated dayTake short showersFix leaks and dripping tapsWash clothes and dishes on full loadDownload the Council’s Antenno app to receive water alertsIf your property has no street number, please call the Council on 03 520 7400.
The restrictions apply to all properties on Picton and Waikawa’s water supply. The Council will limit its own water use
whilst minimising any disruption to its community facilities. For example, it includes reduced watering of Endeavour
Park.
Mr Rooney said the restrictions may extend to a complete ban on sprinklers and sprinkler systems in February if water
savings targets aren’t met.