Rain can be in short supply in Northland during summer, so it’s important that we all make an effort to conserve water.

 

There are some simple steps you can take to become water wise.

Each district across Northland faces different levels of restrictions, but we all need to be water wise and think a bit more about how we can use water sensibly, and be aware of what restrictions mean when they are in force.

Each Council keeps a really close eye on its water sources, amount of water in our dams and how much rain we’ve had and are likely to have in the coming months.

We are asking everyone across Northland to use water sensibly and this site will show you all you need to know about how to be water wise.

Are there water restrictions in your area?

So what do the levels mean?

USE WATER
SENSIBLY

There are no restrictions on the use of water.

You may:

Water your garden with a hose, sprinkler, irrigation system
or watering can

Use a hose, bucket or water blaster to wash vehicles,
windows, buildings and paved areas

Fill or top up a swimming pool from the mains water supply

NO
SPRINKLERS

Water restrictions are in place.

You may:

Use a watering can or hose with a trigger nozzle
to water gardens

Use a bucket, water blaster or hose to wash vehicles,
windows, buildings and paved areas

Fill or top up a swimming pool from the mains water supply

You may not:

Use a sprinkler or irrigation system to water your garden

NO HOSES
OR SPRINKLERS

Water restrictions are in place.

You may:

Use a watering can to water gardens

Use a bucket to wash vehicles, windows, buildings
and paved areas

You may not:

Use a sprinkler, irrigation system or hose to water
your garden

Use a trigger nozzle hose, hand-held open hose or water
blaster to wash vehicles, windows, buildings and paved areas

Fill any swimming pool from the mains supply

ESSENTIAL
USE ONLY

Full water restrictions are in place.

You may:

Use water for drinking and cooking

Use water to wash clothes and take showers

You may not:

Use water anywhere outside

Water saving tips

IN THE BATHROOM

Turn off the tap while brushing your teeth or shaving.

Install a water-saving shower head. These are stocked by plumbing suppliers and some hardware stores, and can halve the amount of water you use.

Use less water in the bath and take shorter showers. A bath can use up to 80 litres of water, while a shower uses less than half that.

Install a dual flush toilet cistern or put a weight (such as a half full soft drink bottle or a brick) in your cistern to reduce the quantity of water you flush.

Flush the toilet less often.

IN THE KITCHEN

Store a bottle of drinking water in the fridge to help avoid running more water than you need for a glass of water.

Put the plug in the sink when washing vegetables and avoid running the tap.

Use the dishwasher for full loads only. Each load uses 40 to 80 litres of water.

Look for the AAA Water Conservation rating when purchasing new appliances.

IN THE LAUNDRY

Wait until you have a full load of washing or make sure you set the machine for smaller loads. A full washing machine uses about 150 litres of water in just one wash.

IN THE GARDEN

Mulch your garden with grass clippings or compost. Mulching can prevent up to 70% of water loss through evaporation. The best mulch is well-rotted compost which will also improve the soil’s ability to hold moisture.

For lawns, apply the ‘step test' – if grass springs back after you walk on it, it doesn't need watering.

Soak your garden once every few days rather than giving it a quick drink every night. Light watering makes the plants shallow rooted, and most of the water is wasted through evaporation. Soaking the ground every few days encourages the roots to go deeper into the soil to seek out moisture.

A hose running at full volume uses 2000 litres of water per hour. This would fill a bath 28 times!

Don’t let the children play with the hose. This can waste 2000 litres in just one hour!

Avoid using sprinklers - these are an inefficient way to water your garden, particularly on a hot day.

Noticed someone wasting water?

Is someone in your community not being water wise?

Let us know and we will check it out – and don’t worry, your details will be kept confidential.

If you spot a major water leak, contact your local Council immediately.

Contact your local Council

FAR NORTH

Memorial Avenue

+64 9 401 5200

WHANGAREI

Forum North, Rust Avenue

+64 9 430 4200

Stop those leaks!

Check your property for lost water

Leaks waste water 24 hours a day, seven days a week. A dripping tap can waste up to 3600 litres a year – that’s more than a full bath a week.

CHECK:

  • Taps and pipes for leaks. If you have a header tank in your house make sure the plumbing is kept in good repair. Don’t let the header tank overflow.
  • Your toilet flushing system and the overflow pipe on the outside wall for leaks.
  • Your hot water cylinder overflow pipe (on the roof.) If the ajax valve isn’t working properly, the cylinder will leak hot water – a waste of both water and electricity.
  • The property for greener than usual patches of lawn or garden – they may indicate a leak underground.

If the toilet leaks or a tap drips, fix it right away.

2hours

Do the two-hour test

BEFORE YOU GO OUT:

  1. Double check that all taps are turned off.
  2. Record your water meter reading on a sheet of paper. Note the time at which you read the meter.
  3. For the next two hours, do not open any taps, flush the toilet, use hot water, or do anything that uses the water supply.
  4. Record the water meter reading after two hours. Note the time at which you read the meter.
  5. If you have not used any water during the two-hour test period, the two meter readings should be the same. If the readings are different you may have a water leak in your system.
  6. If you believe there is a leak, call a plumber to investigate and remedy the problem.