Water alert levels

Our treatment plants can only produce a certain amount of water. When water use reaches 75-80% of the water produced for three to five consecutive days, this triggers alert level one.

Other factors are also considered such as weather forecasts and climate and treatment plant issues – such as leaks or machinery breakdown.

There are different levels of water restrictions in place depending on what water alert level we are on. Official restrictions only relate to outdoor water use - but of course, we encourage you to be smart with water wherever you are using it!

Water Alert Level 1 means you can only use sprinklers between 6am-8am and 6pm-8pm.
Hand-held hosing can be used at any time.

Water Alert Level 2 means you can only use sprinklers between 6am-8am and 6pm-8pm on alternate days. Hand-held hosing can be used at any time.

Water Alert Level 3 means you can't use sprinklers at all. Hand-held hosing only.

Water Alert Level 4 means you can't use any outside water systems.

For commercial customers who use water as an essential activity – such as landscaping, nurseries and sports fields – outdoor watering is allowed in both level one and two. However, we would like to think other business owners will follow the rules and not use sprinklers during the restricted times.

In summer, a large proportion of water is used to water gardens and lawns, fill swimming pools, clean houses and vehicles etc.

Water Alert Levels particularly at Alert Level 1 and 2 do not prevent these activities but help the community to be mindful of how water is being used and provide guidance on using water in a sustainable way.

Should we need to go to the higher Alert Levels, this will be done by area.

In Waipā, some of our water comes from streams and bores but most of it is sourced from the Waikato River.

Councils can only take a certain amount of water each year from various water sources, including the Waikato River, and have an obligation to ensure that any water taken is used responsibly and wisely.

The investment into water infrastructure projects made our supply for the Pukerimu and Te Awamutu supply areas more resilient, so we aren’t as impacted by fluctuating weather patterns.

Since the installation of water meters was completed, our residential water use reduced by at least 25% per household. Customers were also easily able to detect leaks, and once fixed this helped to significantly reduce demand and water bills.

However, while water meters have been a great help, alone they are no longer enough to manage the increased demands in Waipā during prolonged, dry periods.

Water supply is put under particular pressure during the summer when demand increases but there is less rain that can potentially top up some water sources.

Water Alert Levels help everyone play their part and ensure there is enough water for essentials like drinking and washing.

Even though it looks like there is a lot, it is not a free for all. Councils (along with other river users) can only take a certain amount of water each year from the different water sources and must ensure that any water taken is used responsibly and wisely.

By putting water alerts in place, it means we need to maintain enough water for everyone, and it also protects the ecosystems that rely on the river and stream networks.

Building a treatment plant just to cater for three months of the year when more water is needed for gardens and swimming pools is not sustainable and would cost ratepayers millions of dollars.

If rain is falling in your town, then it is good for reducing how much water people use (we see big decreases because people aren't watering their gardens or lawns). However, it doesn't always mean that our water supply is topped up, or that we can ignore the water restrictions.

We are privileged to have water on tap 24 hours a day, but it is a finite resource and we can't take it for granted. In New Zealand we can run short of water at times due to changes in climate patterns or other factors that put pressure on supply.

Water is the life giver of all things – ko to wai ora ngā mea katoa. By using water carefully, we are protecting the health and well-being of our freshwater ecosystem. We are also ensuring that water is not wasted and there will be enough to go around when rain is scarce.

Water infrastructure, including treatment plants and pipes, is expensive. Reducing the amount of water that we use reduces the pressure on our existing infrastructure and can prevent or delay increased investment in new infrastructure. Using less water also reduces the amount of energy needed to provide clean safe water.

While our water meters mean you are charged for the water you use, it’s important to understand that there is only so much water to go around.