1 February 2019
Media: Daily Post
Topic: Summer water consumption
Enquiry
Would I be able to get the most up-to-date info on the water usage?
And what is the "appropriate level" of the reservoir?
If the water usage continues at the same level as this week, when will the reservoirs run out of water? How imminent is a water restriction?
Have the reservoirs ever run out of water and what year/month was the last water restriction?
Could you also clarify this if possible:
The Eastern supply which serves residential areas from Ngapuna to the airport (this includes Ngapuna, Lynmore, Owhata, Holdens Bay, Hannahs Bay, and out past the airport to Rotokawa), recorded a 72% increase in consumption compared to an average day in winter. Consumption from the Eastern supply on Tuesday this week was around 7,413,000 litres, from both residential and businesses. This rate of consumption has been similar all week. Exceeding capacity means we are using water faster than we are able to pump it back into reservoirs."
Was this true for all the reservoirs? If not was the consumption for them, too?
Response
Here is our update for today and response to the questions you've sent through today. Please attribute quotes to Rotorua Lakes Council, Water Operations Manager, Eric Cawte:
"Water usage has been exceptionally high since last weekend and has exceeded the rate at which our pumps are able to replenish our reservoirs on several days. However the situation has improved since early Thursday. At 7.30am this morning [Friday] the Eastern reservoirs were at 80% and the Central ones at 76%. We would normally aim for these to be at least 90% full (this is what we consider to be the appropriate level) first thing in the morning, so we're hoping for at least a similar day today [Friday] to be nearly full for the start of the weekend. It is important to maintain a reasonably high level of water in the reservoirs to ensure we have enough stored in the event of a pump breakdown.
"While there has been an improvement, we still ask that people remain very conscious of their water use in general, and particularly while the fine spell continues. A couple of big consumption days can quickly set us back, and weekends have traditionally shown higher consumption than weekdays.
"If water usage had continued to exceed pumping capacity at the same rate as it did on Monday, the main Eastern and Central reservoirs would have been empty within 5-6 days. These reservoirs have never run out of water before and we do not anticipate this happening in the near future.
"At this stage water restrictions are not imminent, but this can change reasonably quickly depending on consumer water usage. Today [Friday] it looks like we are getting back on track but we ask that people continue to keep a check on their water use. Rotorua Lakes Council will notify the public in the event of any water restriction being necessary."
Information in response to subsequent questions sent through today:
- Regarding the last water restriction Rotorua had - we cannot locate any documentation of this but from memory it was over ten years ago.
- Only the Eastern and Central reservoirs have been affected by higher than usual water usage. Other reservoirs have been less affected. Consumption rates from these reservoirs would take some time to calculate.