Water restrictions have been put in place in Queenstown and Wānaka with immediate effect after a spike in usage recently.
The Queenstown Lakes District Council said this evening it had implemented water restrictions in several locations, and was asking the community to conserve water as much as possible.
The restrictions require residents and visitors keep hand-held hosing to a minimum at all times, and to use irrigation sprinklers between midnight and 6am, when general demand is at its lowest.
QLDC General Manager Property and Infrastructure Tony Avery said local networks were seeing significant demand which, coupled with a lengthy period of warm dry weather across the Queenstown Lakes, was putting pressure on supply.
“We’re seeing extended periods where water is being drawn from reservoirs faster than we can replace it throughout the majority of the district, most likely associated with increased irrigation. This simply isn’t sustainable and puts our water reserves for emergencies like a wildfire in danger,” Mr Avery said.
“We’re asking residents and visitors to take a few simple steps to help ensure our water networks remain in good shape, especially with plenty more hot and dry weather in the forecast.”
Mr Avery said council would continue to monitor the situation, and would remove the restrictions once demand had fallen to more sustainable levels.
“I’d like to thank our local communities in advance for their co-operation. One of the most significant differences we can all make at home is around when and how we’re using irrigation, hoses, and sprinklers on our lawns and in the garden,” Mr Avery said.
Water alert level 1 restrictions take place with immediate effect in the following areas:
Arrowtown, Arthurs Point, Frankton, Hanley’s Farm, Hāwea, Kelvin Heights, Lake Hayes, Luggate, Quail Rise, Wānaka
