Water Restrictions & Notices

This page has important notices about the water supply and water restrictions in the Waimakariri District, and what is required of you if there is a water restriction in your area.

There are currently no restrictions on any Waimakariri District Council owned water supply schemes.

Please note: the Ashley Rural Water Supply is managed by the Hurunui District Council, and any information about restrictions on this scheme will be published on the Hurunui District Council website.

Water restrictions in the Waimakariri District

At times some of the Council’s water supply schemes will be required to conserve water for short periods of time or on a long term basis. During the summer months it is advisable to conserve water to avoid water restrictions.

The Council has five levels of water restrictions:


Water restriction levelWhat does this mean?

Level 1

Alternate day watering

Watering of gardens and lawns is permitted on alternate days only

  • Properties with a street address that ends with an odd number may only water gardens and lawns when the day of the month is an odd number
  • Similarly, properties with a street address that ends with an even number may only water gardens and lawns when the day of the month is an even number
  • For example, a property with a street number of 21 can only water gardens and lawns when the date is an odd number, such as 1st, 3rd, 5th of the month etc.

Level 2

Alternate day hand held watering

All measures under Level 1, plus:

  • All automated/unattended watering systems are prohibited at all times
  • Only hand-held hoses may be used for watering gardens and lawns on alternate days

Level 3

Alternate day hand held watering, with time restrictions

All measures under Level 2, plus:

  • No watering of gardens or lawns is permitted between 4pm and 8pm on any day
  • Washing of vehicles may only be allowed by use of a bucket. Hoses may not be used for washing vehicles at any time

Level 4

Total outdoor water ban

All measures under Level 3, plus:

  • No outdoor water use of any kind is permitted at any time, this includes the washing of vehicles, filling of swimming pools, watering gardens, water features etc.
  • Water may only be used for domestic purposes such as drinking (including pets and stock), cooking, cleaning, laundry and personal hygiene

Level 5

Total outdoor ban and domestic water use restrictions

All measures under Level 4, plus:

  • Showers are to be limited to 3 minutes per person only. Bathtubs are not to be used unless necessary for health and safety reasons, or you do not have access to a shower
  • The use of ‘toilet bricks’ in an appropriate manner is encouraged
  • The installation of water efficient devices is encouraged

Plumbosolvency

Some plumbing fittings have the potential to allow minute traces of metals to accumulate in water that has been standing in the fittings for several hours. This applies to both public and private water supplies.

Although the health risk is small, the Ministry of Health recommends that you flush a mugful of water from your drinking water tap each morning before drinking, or after a long absence from your property, to remove any metals that may have dissolved from the plumbing fittings.

The Ministry of Health is recommending this simple precaution for all households in New Zealand, including those on public and private water supplies in the Waimakariri District.