Check out our drought tolerant plant gallery....establish before summer and say goodbye to watering!
“Water is one of our most precious resources, especially during the summer when the amount of water used can almost double,” said Hamilton City Council’s Unit Director - Three Waters, Maire Porter.
Water demand is going up as the weather improves, and with one awa (river) to sustain many, we all need to be mindful of how we use wai (water) in the Waikato.
“Hamilton Kirikiriroa is one of several authorities that take water from the Waikato Awa, and there’s a limit on how much can be taken each year,” said Porter. “As our communities prepare for the summer months, we all have a role to play to ensure that we use this precious resource sustainably. Every drop counts.”
A large proportion of Waikato’s outdoor water use is from sprinklers and hand-held hoses, with some people using them more often, and for longer than needed.
Waipā water services manager Karl Pavlovich said that we are seeing water usage creeping up and if the trend continues Waipā will move to higher alert levels.
“Save water for the things you really need, like your vegetable garden and house plants, and try watering the garden for a longer time once every two to three days to encourage deeper and healthier roots,” said Pavlovich. “Drought tolerant plants are a good low-maintenance option as they need minimal watering once established.”
Waitomo District Council’s General Manager Infrastructure Services, Shyamal Ram says it is predicted to be a dry hot summer, which means increased demand on water supply.
“If we are more mindful of conserving our water even in the earlier stages of the dry season, it will help create habits that will make a difference when water conservation is needed most,” said Ram. “If everyone can play their part by using water wisely, we can hopefully make a big difference.”
We’d love to know how you save wai (water) in the Waikato. Make sure you’re following us on Facebook and Instagram and stay tuned for some awesome water-saving giveaways.