Key Takeaways
- Napier’s daily water use is at around 35 million liters, which is considered unsustainable
- The Hastings council is asking residents to use water wisely and think about the impact on the community
- The dry conditions have increased the fire risk in the region, with 15 vegetation fire callouts in the last 30 days
- A prohibited fire season is in place, with no open fires allowed and all fire permits suspended
- Water restrictions are in place, with Level 3 restrictions banning sprinklers and automated watering systems
Introduction to Water Restrictions
Napier’s daily water use has been sitting at around 35 million liters, which is considered unsustainable by the Hastings council. The council is urging residents to use water wisely and think about the impact on the community. The hot and dry conditions have put a strain on the water infrastructure, with bores, pumps, and reservoirs reaching their limits. The council spokesperson emphasized the need for residents to be mindful of their water use, stating that "water infrastructure has a fixed capacity, and during periods of high demand, Napier and Hastings often reach their limits."
Fire Risk and Restrictions
The dry conditions have also increased the fire risk in the region, with Fire and Emergency New Zealand Hawke’s Bay responding to 15 vegetation fire callouts in the last 30 days. The acting district manager, Tony Kelly, warned that fireworks can start devastating wildfires in these dry conditions. As a result, a prohibited fire season is in place, with no open fires allowed and all fire permits suspended. Kelly urged residents to think carefully before planning any kind of fire or applying for a fire permit, stating that "our job is to protect people, property, and the environment, and placing these restrictions will give us greater control over burning in our district."
Weather Forecast and Water Restrictions
MetService meteorologist Devlin Lynden predicted that Hawke’s Bay would see some rain over the coming week, with a front moving in on Tuesday and bringing welcome showers in the evening. However, the front is expected to move quickly to the east, with only a few showers on Wednesday before a ridge of high pressure moves in for Thursday and Friday. Under Level 3 water restrictions, sprinklers and automated watering systems are banned, and hand-held hoses can only be used on gardens between 6am and 8am in the morning and 7pm and 9pm in the evening on alternate days.
Water Use Under Level 3 Restrictions
The Level 3 water restrictions have significant implications for residents and businesses in the area. Hanging baskets, planter boxes, and some areas of new plantings in public gardens will be sparingly watered every night at off-peak times. Council gardening crews will start work earlier than usual to ensure essential watering is finished by 8am. Facilities that have their own bores, such as Splash Planet and the Hawke’s Bay Regional Sports Park, can continue using water for irrigation. Splash pads and water play features across both cities will continue to operate, as they turn off automatically when not in use.
Extreme Water Restrictions in Central Hawke’s Bay
In extreme cases, water restrictions can be escalated to Level 4, which is the highest level of water restriction available to councils. Last week, the Central Hawke’s Bay District Council moved Kairakau, one of its beach communities, into Level 4 water restrictions. This means that residents are unable to use dishwashers, top up pools, or wash boats, cars, and houses. The restrictions also require residents to restrict the flushing of their toilets, highlighting the severity of the water shortage in the area.
Conclusion and Call to Action
In conclusion, the water shortage in Napier and Hastings is a serious issue that requires immediate attention and action from residents and businesses. The Level 3 water restrictions are in place to reduce water use and alleviate the strain on the water infrastructure. Residents are urged to use water wisely and think about the impact on the community. By working together, we can reduce our water use and mitigate the effects of the drought. As the council spokesperson emphasized, "with the hot and dry conditions, both councils are asking people to use water wisely, fairly, and think about how water use impacts the whole community."