Level 1 water restrictions are now in force across Wellington City as the region prepares for increased water demand over summer.
The restrictions came into effect at 12.01am on Sunday, 27 September, coinciding with the start of daylight saving.
Under Level 1, households can use sprinklers and irrigation systems every second day, depending on their street number.
Even-numbered properties can use sprinklers on even-numbered days, while odd-numbered properties can use them on odd-numbered days.
Watering is limited to between 6am and 8am and 7pm and 9pm on those days.
Handheld watering devices, including hoses, can be used on any day and at any time, provided they are not left unattended.
Tiaki Wai, the Wellington region’s new water services provider, said the restrictions routinely begin as daylight saving starts each year.
Chief Operating Officer Charles Barker said reducing demand now could lower the likelihood of tighter restrictions later in summer.
“Using water wisely now helps reduce the risk of tighter restrictions later if there is a long, hot, dry summer. Alternate-day restrictions help spread the demand across the network and reduce pressure on the supply.
“We can only store a limited amount of water in the Macaskill Lakes and the Waiwhetū aquifer for the drier periods, when demand increases and there is less water available from the Orongorongo, Te Awa Kairangi/Hutt and Wainuiomata rivers that supply our region.”
Tiaki Wai is working with Earth Sciences New Zealand to assess whether forecast El Niño conditions could bring hotter and drier weather to the Wellington region this summer.
Barker said Level 2 restrictions could be introduced if conditions became very dry.
Under Level 2, sprinklers and irrigation systems are banned, although handheld watering devices can still be used.
The region has not needed restrictions higher than Level 2 during the past decade.
Tiaki Wai said it would publish forecasts and updates through summer showing water demand, consumption and the risk of higher restrictions.
Residents are also being encouraged to fix leaking taps and fixtures, take shorter showers and use water-efficient gardening methods such as deep watering, targeted irrigation and mulch.
