Ngawi campers can't tap in to water

South Wairarapa District Council has removed all taps from the Ngawi toilets and on the outside of the toilet building after the water tank was repeatedly drained over summer.

Luck has dried up for freedom campers visiting Ngawi who have been replenishing their self-contained campers' water supply from taps at the public toilets.

The South Wairarapa District Council has removed all taps in the toilets and on the outside of the toilet building after the water tank was drained repeatedly over summer.

Mark Allingham, SWDC group manager infrastructure and services, said the council had repeatedly run truck-loads of water out to Ngawi in the holiday period.

"The water gets carted out there because it's so remote," Mr Allingham said. "It ran out five times, so we took the taps off."

The campsite had attracted a large number of tourists over summer and some people had been leaving the taps on.

Taking the taps off was an attempt to reduce the "excessive water use", though the toilets could still be flushed.

"If it was people just getting water for their billy then there wouldn't be anything wrong, but five loads is a lot of water.

"It's a shame but it's just one of those things. The council want to provide the best facilities but with some people we can't and vandalism is just one of those issues."

The Ngawi Camping Area is free but has a donation box, and money collected in it goes towards the Ngawi community and fire services.

Daytrippers and holiday-makers using the loos will have to make do with hand sanitiser, which is now provided in the toilets for hygiene.