Water Conservation and Restrictions

There are currently no water restrictions in our district

Our Water Alerts and Restrictions help us manage the town water supply during periods of high demand.

In summer, we get less rain than the rest of the year and the amount of water people use everyday increases mainly due to activities such as watering gardens, property maintenance and filling up swimming pools. This puts pressure on our water supply.

Water restrictions help everyone play their part and are put in place to make sure there is enough water for everyone to use during this time.

If you notice a water leak or someone wasting water in your street please contact us straight away on 0800 932 4357.

Level 1 - Use water wisely

Sprinklers between 6am to 8am and 6pm to 8pm.
Hand-held hosing is allowed anytime.

Hand-held hosing means that a person must physically hold the hose - no unattended hoses. Try to use a twist or trigger nozzle when using your hose to save water. Turn off all hoses and taps when its not in use.

Level 2 - Reduce non-essential water use

Use sprinklers on alternate days between 6am to 8am or 6pm to 8pm (e.g. even street numbers on even days; odd street numbers on odd days).

Alternate day means residents whose street address number is an even number can use their sprinkler between 6am to 8am and 6pm to 8pm on days with even dates (for example 30 January, 2 February)
Those with odd letter box numbers can use their sprinkler between 6am-8am and 6pm-8pm on days with odd dates (For 31 January, 1 February, 3 February).
Hand held hosing is allowed at anytime.

Level 3 - Take all practical steps to reduce your water usage

No sprinklers allowed.
Hand-held hosing only.

Under Level Three Restrictions:

Don’t use Council water supply to fill or top up your pools (including portable and paddling pools).
Use a broom instead of water to clean hard surfaces such as footpaths and driveways.
Avoid using water to wash windows, buildings and cars.

Level 4 - Reduce your water use immediately

Essential water use only.
There is a complete ban on any outdoor water use (includes use of sprinklers, hoses, drip lines, irrigation systems, water toys like slip n' slides).

Essential water use means that you may only use water for drinking, food preparation, hygiene and sanitary purposes (includes washing clothes and taking showers). Essential use outside means water may be used for activities like firefighting and emergency clean ups.

Under Level Four Restrictions:

No filling of swimming pools (includes portable or paddling pools).
No outdoor cleaning (cars and property).
The only permitted way to water your garden at alert level 4 is to use collected rain water and/or to use greywater from inside your home.

Bathroom

Shower

Shorten your shower. Each minute you add to your shower time uses about 12 litres of water. For a household of three that extra minute costs you about $90 a year in electricity.
To help keep track of time, try using a shower timer.
Measure your shower flow rate - if it is more than 11 litres per minute, consider swapping your showerhead for a water-efficient one (provides the same shower experience but uses less water). Alternatively, for minimal cost, install a flow restrictor (available at any local DIY store).
Don't just watch the shower warming up! Use a bucket in the shower to catch water as it warms up. It's easy to carry out of the house so you can keep thirsty herbs happy in summer.

Toilet

Check your toilet doesn't leak. Toilet leaks are often silent. A continuously running toilet can waste more than 700 litres of water a day and is not something you can ignore.
Don't use your toilet as a rubbish bin. Only pee, poo and paper should be flushed, the rest should go in the bin.
Use the correct dual flush option (half-flush for liquid waste and a full-flush for solid waste).
Consider installing a toilet weight flush limiter if your toilet is pre-2005. This simple gadget gives you control of how much water is used each flush.
Stand a full 2 litre plastic soft drink bottle in your cistern to save water every time you flush. This can achieve savings of up to 5,000 litres per year.
When shopping for a new toilet, use the water efficiency labelling scheme (WELS) to help you choose. Just remember, the more stars on the WELS label, the more water efficient the toilet is.

Don’t delay, check your toilet today.

Follow these simple steps and watch the video.

Remove the toilet cistern lid.
Put a few drops of blue or green food colouring into the cistern.
Wait 15 minutes. if the water in the bowl has changed colour, you have a leak.
Flush the coloured water away so it doesn't stain the toilet bowl.
A deteriorating washer in the inlet or flush valve is a common cause of water leaking into the toilet bowl. Either call a registered plumber or if you feel confident, fix the leak yourself.

Bath

When running the bath put the plug in first and adjust the temperature as the tub fills.
Reduce the depth of your bath. The average amount of water used for a half full bath is 80 litres, compared to 140 litres for a full bath.
Baths typically use more water than having a shower. However, did you know that a 10 minute shower is equivalent to a bath? If you feel like a long soak now and again, a bath may well be a better option.
Use eco-friendly products and then you can reuse your bath water on your house plants or garden.

Kitchen

Sink

When washing fruit and veggies, use a small bowl instead of a running tap. Then you can also reuse that water on your pot plants!
Slow the flow! Consider installing aerators or flow restrictors on your sink taps - you'll save water without even noticing.
Don't use running water to defrost food. For water efficiency and food safety, defrost food in the fridge.

Dishwasher

Modern dishwashers typically use less water than washing dishes by hand. However, it’s important to fill your dishwasher completely before running it.
Read the manual to learn more about the different settings on your dishwasher, many modern machines offer an ‘Eco’ or ‘Economy’ setting which use less water and energy.
When shopping for a new dishwasher, use the water efficiency labelling scheme (WELS) to help you choose. Always remember that the more stars on the WELS label, the more water efficient the dishwasher is.

Drinking water

Don't cut back on the amount of water you drink. Instead, try putting a large bottle of tap water in the fridge rather than waiting for the tap to run cold each time.
Don't tip any left-over water down the sink - give your pot plants a drink!
Fill the kettle with only what you need - this saves water and electricity.

Laundry

Washing machine

Hold off for a full load. This saves water and electricity! The average volume of water for a single load of washing is 150 litres for a top loader and 80 litres for a front loader.
Read the manual for your machine to find out which cycles are the most water efficient (usually eco cycle).
When shopping for a new washing machine, use the water efficiency labelling scheme (WELS) to help you choose. Just remember, the more stars on the WELS label, the more water efficient the washing machine is.

Sink

When soaking clothes, use a bucket instead of the tub so you can chuck it on a plant that needs some love.
Slow the flow! Consider installing flow restricting aerators on your sink taps. You’ll save water without even noticing!

Garden

What to plant

Choose drought tolerant plants that can resist dry conditions, so you don’t need a lot of water to keep them alive during summer. For some ideas, visit the smart water plant gallery. Young drought tolerant plants do need some care but once they have fully developed root systems they can survive long periods without water.
Native plants are naturally suited to our climate and require less watering. Talk to your local garden centre about the most suitable plants for your regional climate, environment and soil type.

When to plant

The best time to get plants in the ground is in autumn so they have six to nine months to settle in and establish before the hot weather sets in. Even young drought tolerant plants need looking after, with a drink once every fortnight during the first summer. If you plant in spring you will need to water once or twice a week.

Where to plant

Position plants with similar watering needs all together, this enables you to water them more effectively — this is called hydro-zoning.
Put plants close together so they create their own shade for the soil and reduce evaporation.
A smart water landscape can have plants with high water needs, however, save them for a feature location in your garden.
Keep plants with high water needs, such as vegetables and herbs, near the house so they can be watered with water collected from the shower or stored rainwater.
If you are planting on a sloping section, proper grading allows water to soak into the soil and be used by plants rather than running off your section.

Watering

Prioritise watering fruit and vegetables.
Plan for fewer and longer watering sessions. These are more effective than lots of small, short sessions and encourage root systems to grow deeper into the soil. Every 3 – 5 days that pass without rain is enough.
Look out for signs of overwatering, including leaves turning a lighter shade of green or yellow; wilting of young shoots and growth of algae or fungi.
Drip line irrigation and soaker hoses are two of the best ways to water shrubs, plants and vegetables, as they water the root zone directly. Spray irrigation can waste a lot of water to evaporation and runoff.
If you are using a sprinkler or drip lines, set a timer to remind yourself to turn it off!
Water your garden early in the morning or later in the evening to maximise absorption to the plants.
Use a rain gauge or a tin to monitor rainfall at your house and adjust your watering to suit.
Always use a trigger spray gun when using your hose.

Mulch and compost

Mulch is any material you use to cover the surface of your soil around plants. It holds moisture in and keeps watering down.
Good quality organic mulch can save about 70% of water from being lost to evaporation. It also keeps the weeds down, stops runoff and adds nutrients to the soil.
Organic mulches include leaves, grass clippings, bark and straw - you need at least 10cm depth for maximum protection against evaporation.
Plan for groundcover plants to eventually replace the need for mulch. As they grow they will start to spread and suppress weeds, retain soil moisture, insulate the soil and keep plant roots cool.
Healthy soil grows healthy plants. Adding compost is an easy and effective way to improve your soil. Compost improves the structure of soil, aeration and nutrients as well as increasing how much water it can hold (water retention). Different soils have varying water needs. Clay soils absorb water slowly and cause surface runoff if watered too quickly. Sandy soils dry quickly because of fast downward filtration. Adding bark or compost will improve either type of soil.
Consider using a natural soil enhancer like biochar (a form of charcoal) for your lawn and plants. Biochar helps build a stronger and deeper root system and can reduce the need to water by 40%.

Supplementary water source

Collecting rainwater from your roof and into a water tank/rain barrel is a great source of water for your garden without having to use drinking water from your house.
Greywater is water from bathtubs, showers, bathroom washbasins, washing machines and laundry tubs. Irrigating your landscape with greywater will save drinking water resources. Re-using greywater will also ease the strain on your septic tank (if you have one), especially during the summer months. The simplest way to re-use greywater is to catch it in a large bendy bucket (the type with two handles) from your shower, washing machine and laundry sink and carry it outside to use.*
Be sure to use ecofriendly soaps/detergents to avoid contamination, or reuse the water on non-edible parts of your garden. Greywater is produced every day, all year round and is a reliable source of irrigation.

*Not recommended for the elderly or those with restricted mobility.

Lawns and Landscaping

Lawns maintenance

Let your lawn go brown in summer - it won’t die off completely but will spring back to life when it rains again. Save water for the things you really need such as vegetable gardens and needy ornamentals.
Grow your grass a little bit longer in summer. Taller grass will stay greener for longer. Keep up with mowing to help control any weeds.
Service your lawnmower annually to keep the blades sharp —a clean cut helps reduce water loss from grass.
Reduce the amount of lawn in your yard by planting shrubs and ground covers appropriate to your site and region.
If laying a new lawn, consider warm season drought-resistant grasses that can withstand summer temperatures and don't need watering. (Autumn or early spring is the best time to establish a new lawn. Don’t try to lay a new lawn during summer.)
Consider using a natural soil enhancer like biochar (a form of charcoal) for your lawn and plants. Biochar helps build a stronger and deeper root system to keep your lawn healthy year-round.

Other top tips

Use a broom and/or bucket to clean hard surfaces such as footpaths and driveways.
Wash your car/boat/caravan and pets on an area of lawn – this helps prevent soapy water and chemicals running into the drain and straight to the river untreated.
Check for dripping taps and obvious leaks on your property and get these fixed as soon as possible.
Landscaping/general outdoors
When planning or revamping your outdoor landscape, consider using materials that allow rain to soak into your soil and garden.
Crushed shells, pebbles, gravels, permeable pavers and mulch are good materials to use and can help reduce flooding and pooling during heavy rainfall. It also eases the load on storm water drainage systems.
When paving, use porous material or ground cover in the gaps instead of mortar. This helps counter the warming effect of pavers and provides another way for rain to soak into the soil.

Pools

Top 10 tips

Use a pool cover and prevent up to 97% evaporation - you won't need as many chemicals to treat the water.
Before getting into the pool, rinse your dirty feet in a small tub.
Check your pool for leaks. A tiny leak can lead to a substantial amount of water loss
Maintain the correct chemical balance and if it starts to look cloudy, take action straight away. Take a water sample to your local pool or DIY store and get it tested.
Brush sides and bottom of pool once a week to remove algae build-up. By moving algae away from the sides, it's easier to be cleaned with chlorine and through the filter.
Top up your pool with rainwater runoff.
When purchasing a new pool filter, look for a water efficient model that doesn't require backwashing e.g. a cartridge filter. Simply rinse the filter with a tap or hose and put back.
Make sure your pool is fenced to the right regulations - if your pool is deeper than 400mm, it must be fenced appropriately to avoid accidental drowning. See Waitomo pool fencing rules PDF.
How to take a water sample - watch the video. Fill a small bottle with your pool water, leaving no air at the top. Make sure it's no older than 1 hour and out of the sun. Find out the volume of your pool (litres). If unsure, check the pool particulars online or use length x width x depth calculation.
Ensure you have an efficient filter and pump system which is at the heart of keeping pool water clean. You may need to consider an upgrade.

Maintaining water levels

Don't overfill the pool. Lower water levels will reduce water loss due to splashing.
Make sure the water level in your pool is only halfway up the skimmer box. Overfilling the pool stops the skimmer from working efficiently and wastes water.
Reduce your consumption of treated water by topping up your pool or spa with water from a rainwater tank or downpipe diverter.
Backwashing
Backwashing typically accounts for 30% of a pool's water use. Make sure your backwash cycles are kept to a minimum and are in accordance with the manufacturer's specifications.
Backwashing too frequently wastes water, while not backwashing enough wastes energy by forcing the pump to work harder.
Where possible, backwash after heavy rainfall (when you would usually need to lower the water level of your pool).

Leaks

Checking for leaks is an important part of a pool owner's maintenance routine. A tiny leak could result in a large amount of water loss. Signs of a leak include:
A rapid drop in water level
Unusually rapid algae formation soon after chemical treatment
Loose tiles or a cracked pool deck
Gaps and cracks in the pool shell
Ground sinking around the pool structure
Constantly damp soil around the pool or house.
If the water level of your pool drops more than 3 centimetres within 24 hours, investigate for problems and consult a professional. If you suspect that your pool is leaking, follow these steps:
Place a bucket filled with water on a pool step (weight it with a rock or brick). Mark the water level on both the inside and outside of the bucket. The starting points should be about the same. Check the water levels against the marks 24 hours later. You may have a leak if there is a greater drop in the water level on the outside of the bucket.
Check the skimmer. Skimmer leaks are quite common and are caused by a separation between the plastic skimmer and the concrete pool. This leak looks like a crack, gap or tear and is easily repaired with pool putty.
Check for leaks in the pump and filter equipment and on the shell of the pool, around inserts into the pool walls (for example lights) and at wall interfaces (for example tile lines).
Check the return lines when the pool pump is running. If there are bubbles, there may be a leak in the suction side of the filtration system. Once you have detected a leak, make sure you repair it quickly!

New Build

Choose water efficient appliances

The easiest way to ensure you are installing water efficient appliances and fixtures is to use the water efficiency labelling scheme (WELS). Look for the blue stars – the more stars, the more water-efficient the product. The WELS rating can help you to select your:

taps

washing machine

dishwasher

toilet

shower

Rain water harvesting

The size and type of the rainwater collection system that you can install will depend on your individual property and what you want to use the water for.

Rainwater barrel

The easiest system to install is a rainwater barrel. These can be used for watering the garden and don't require a pump or treatment system. Rainwater is great for your garden because soil doesn’t require water to be treated first.

What to consider:

To collect rainwater from your roof, you will need to connect a diverter to your downpipe.
Location – the barrel needs to be secured and on a slightly raised platform e.g. pavers/pallet as it relies on gravity to work correctly.
Managing any overflow – installing a diverter is a good idea to direct overflow back into the stormwater system to reduce ponding on your property.
Learn what items you need to build your own rain harvesting kit (written by EcoMatters).

Download the Eco Matters guide

Rainwater tanks

Rainwater tanks may provide all or some of your household’s water needs.

We recommend contacting a local rainwater tank supplier to get the right advice on what size and type of tank will best meet your needs and the needs of your property. The requirement for whether your tank may need a building consent depends on:

the size of the rainwater tank
what you want to use the water for
your location.

Contact your council’s building consent team to find out more.

For more information check out the Smarter Homes guide to rainwater tanks.

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Waitomo District Council