Watering restrictions for Hawea, Arthurs Point and the Lake Hayes Scheme can now be lifted, Queenstown Lakes District Council three waters manager Gerry Essenberg said.

All three communities were restricted to hand held watering, only in December after warm temperatures and minimal rain put pressure on reservoirs.

“The Council has been working with ‘high end’ users to manage their water use but there is no doubt that the co-operation of all three communities has seen water use maintain at sustainable levels through the height of summer,” Mr Essenberg said.

The Council was extremely grateful to everyone that had adhered to the restriction but reminded the community that water demand management was a year round issue.

“Lifting the restriction does not spell an end to water demand management for those communities and all residents of the Lakes District. Water from the tap comes at a price. The more our residents can conserve, the more affordable our water infrastructure becomes,” he said.

Mr Essenberg recommended people visit the Council’s website to find out how to apply water management at home or the Council’s sustainable website ‘choice’ http://choice.qldc.govt.nz .

“It includes everything from fixing dripping taps to washing the car with a bucket of water rather than a running hose,” he said.

ENDS
For further information please contact Gerry Essenberg 03 441 0499.

By: Andrea Bunting