Official Information Request - 8 July 2019

Attachments:

• Water restrictions - Council notices
• Water restrictions - media articles

Response:

Sent: Thursday, 11 July 2019 9:51 a.m.

Subject: Information request - Water restrictions over past 50 years

I refer to your email of 8 July 2019 regarding information on any water restrictions Rotorua Lakes Council has imposed over the past 50 years.

A search of Council's electronic files shows no records of any city-wide water restrictions. The attached documents show there have in the past been localised water restrictions in specific suburbs of Rotorua.

As all of Rotorua's water sources come from springs, deep bores or a lake, the availability of the sources is generally not affected by seasonal dry weather. In very hot dry summer periods, Council does find that consumption increases. This is monitored and if the reservoirs get to levels that might cause concern for the pumps to keep up, Council has published media releases (attached) to reduce any unnecessary consumption.

The attached information is readily available. Given the historical nature of your request for information over the past 50 years, to research this further (if possible) would require a significant amount of staff time and for this reason any further research is declined under section 17(f) of the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 'that the information requested cannot be made available without substantial collation or research'.

As per the Act, we are obliged to advise that you may contact the Ombudsman at the address below if you have any concerns with the response provided by Council, by writing to:

The Office of the Ombudsman

PO Box 10 152

WELLINGTON 6143

Alternatively, you may email info@ombudsman.parliament.nz or use the online complaints form available at www.ombudsman.parliament.nz/make-a-complaint.

Regards