Rain eases water restrictions in Napier and Hastings

Water restrictions in Napier and Hastings (excluding Waimārama) have been dropped from Level 3 to Level 2. Photo / NZME

Rain over the past two weeks may have dampened holiday plans, but it has brought good news for Napier and Hastings residents.

Water restrictions in the twin cities (excluding Waimārama) have been dropped to Level 2 as of Monday.

A Hastings District Council spokesperson said following a fall in water use over the past two weeks, along with about 60mm of rain, the Level 3 water restrictions had been dropped.

“In Hastings, water use from the main urban network had dropped by about 7% over the last two weeks to an average 45,700 cubic metres per day.”

In Napier, water use was sitting at an average 27,000 cubic metres a day.

Level 3 restrictions were put in place in Napier on November 29 as water usage soared, with the council saying the city was using more water per person than most other places in New Zealand, and after a dry winter and weeks of warm weather, water use was “outstripping supply”.

Hastings following on December 6.

At Level 2, sprinklers and hoses can be used only between 6am and 8am and 7pm and 9pm with even-numbered houses on even days of the month and odd-numbered houses on odd days of the month.

Level 3 water restrictions remain in place in Waimārama due to the increased population over the summer.

At Level 3, sprinklers are banned with hand-held hoses only allowed to be used between 6am and 8am and/or 7pm and 9pm, on alternate days: even-numbered properties on even dates and odd-numbered properties on odd dates.

LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.