Water

Where does our water come from?

Water supply for the Carterton district comes from the Kaipatangata Stream and two underground bores. These sources are dependent on rainfall.

Carterton’s main water supply at the Kaipatangata has relatively little storage capacity so daily collection and treatment of the stream water is closely linked to the volume of water being consumed.

In 1990 the Council undertook the construction of its supplementary bore system. The main purpose of this system is to ensure that during times when the quality and quantity of the Kaipatangata supply is not adequate, the supplementary system can be brought on stream to ensure that residents have water for domestic use and township has sufficient water available for fire fighting purposes.

 

What increases our water consumption so drastically over the summer months?

During the summer Carterton’s water consumption almost doubles that consumed over the winter period. This can be attributed to high levels of garden watering, and other usage such as swimming pool filling and topping up.

A garden hose can easily deliver 20 litres of water every minute; that is equivalent to a bath full of water every five minutes, so it’s easy to see how careless watering or leaving the tap on by accident can waste a lot of water.

 

Conservation Tips for Gardeners

  • Use a good mulch. This can prevent about 70% evaporation loss.
  • Avoid watering in the heat of the day or in windy weather. This reduces the loss through evaporation. A good time to water your garden is during the night when the demand is lower.
  • Don’t water paths and pavements.
  • Soak – don’t spray. A good soaking every third or fourth day encourages the roots to go deeper into the soil.
  • Use a timer. A forgotten sprinkler can waste over 1000 litres of water every hour. Be aware how much water you use. Awareness is the first step in conservation.

 

The average person uses:

Toilet 86 litres per day

Bathing & Hygiene 68 litres per day

Laundry 36 litres per day

Kitchen 32 litres per day

Housekeeping 5 litres per day

More than 70% of indoor water use occurs in the bathroom and more than 20% occurs in the kitchen and laundry.

When filling swimming pools avoid filling to the top to minimise wastage by water slopping over the top.

 

Inefficient Use (Litres) Efficient Use (Litres)
         
Shower Older Style Showerhead 8 minutes 108 to 176 Low flow Showerhead 5 minutes 45
Brushing Teeth Tap Running 9 to 22 Wet Brush Rinse 0.6
Bath Tub Full Tub 162 Minimal Water Level 10
Shaving Tap Running 22 to 67 Tap off, quick rinse 9
Washing Dishes Tap Running 112.5 Tap off, while washing, sink half full with rinse bowl 22
Washing Hands/Face Tap Running 9 to 13.5 Tap off while washing 2
Washing Machine Older Style 180 Efficient 112.5
Toilet Flushing Old style tank 22 Ultra low flush toilet 7.2
Automatic Washing Machine Full Cycle 112.5 Short Cycle 54

How will you know that water restrictions have been imposed?

  • The water restriction wheel located at the Fire Station will display the level of water restriction imposed.
  • Watch for advertisements in the Wairarapa News.
  • Listen to the local radio station.
  • Check on the Council’s telephone after-hour service.
     

Click here to view the current water restrictions in place.