Water use in Tauranga reaches record high

Tauranga City Council is urging residents to watch their water usage after demand reached a record high, yesterday.

Tauranga City Council is urging residents to watch their water usage after demand reached a record high, yesterday.

City waters manager Steve Burton said if nothing changed, the council would need to restrict outdoor water use.

"There's enough for everyone if we're mindful of how much we use and where we use it," Burton said.

"Please avoid using sprinklers and if you have a garden hose, make sure you're using it only where it's needed."

With more people living in Tauranga than ever before, the city's water supply is under increasing pressure, particularly over the summer months, Burton said.

For more information and conservation tips, visit www.tauranga.govt.nz/saving-water.

On December 9, the Bay of Plenty Times reported that Tauranga had that week used nearly as much water as it would at the peak of summer in recent years.

The city used an average of 48,580cu m a day in the week to December 5.

This year's early peak was likely down to a combination of the hot weather and the city's growing population, Burton said.

According to Metservice, Tauranga can expect a small amount of rain this week.

Today was expected to reach a high of 26C and would be mainly fine with southwesterlies.

Tomorrow Tauranga was expected to see a few showers around midday and was looking at a high of 25C.

Friday, Saturday and Sunday were looking dry, with sunshine and a high of 23 on Friday, light winds and afternoon sea breezes with a high of 26C on Saturday, and fine spells with possible showers on Sunday.

Tips to save water

- When watering the garden, make sure every drop counts

- Don't water the footpath

- Water in cooler hours to avoid it evaporating

- Avoid using sprinklers

- Fix drips and leaks

- Use a broom, not a hose, to clean paths

- Turn the hose off when moving around your property

- Use a bucket to wash the car