The heavy rain experienced by the Coromandel over the New Year period has resulted in restrictions to water use in Pauanui, Coromandel Town and Whitianga after water treatment plants failed to process excess sediment expediently.
In a statement, the Thames Coromandel District Council said that treatment plants serving Coromandel Town and Whitianga “have to process at a much slower rate due to the additional sediment in the water, or even be shut off at times.
“As a result, our treated water storage is lower than normal, which looks set to be the case until the water source becomes cleaner.“
There are five levels of restrictions to manage water supply:
- Level 1 - No restrictions: No official restrictions on water use, but water is a precious resource. People should be mindful of water use regardless.
- Level 2 - Conserve water: Residents and holidaymakers are asked to be careful with their water use to ensure supply continues.
- Level 3 - Alternate days: Hoses, sprinklers and garden irrigation systems can only be used on alternate days. If your address is an even number you can use your hose on even-numbered days, and vice-versa for odd-numbered houses.
- Level 4 - Hand-held hoses only: A total ban on the use of all sprinklers, unattended hoses and garden irrigation systems. Hand-held hoses can be used on alternate days: If your address is an even number, you can use your hose on even-numbered days, and vice-versa for odd-numbered houses.
- Level 5 - Watering ban: Hand-held hoses, unattended hoses, sprinklers and garden irrigation systems are not permitted at any time. This includes a ban on watering lawns and gardens, washing cars, boats, houses, and decks, filling paddling pools and playing under sprinklers. Essential watering of plants, such as vegetable gardens using a hand-held watering can is permitted.
