The restrictions apply to all homes that source water from a public Napier City Council supply. (file image) Photo: 123rf
Level two water restrictions are being introduced in Napier from today.
Hastings will also shift to level two, and Waimārama to level there, next Wednesday.
Napier City Council infrastructure services director Russell Bond said the city needed to conserve water in case of a drought or an emergency.
Firefighters in particular needed to be sure they would have enough to run their pumps.
The council will also be reviewing its watering programme for parks and gardens.
Many watered spots were now on timers to allow watering to take place at cooler times of the day, ensuring gardens and parks absorb water more effectively and efficiently, Bond said.
Putting low level restrictions in at this stage is hoped to help avoid higher level restrictions being imposed later, due to the weather.
What do level two restrictions mean?
Hoses and sprinklers can only be used between 6am and 8am, and 7pm and 9pm every second day - at odd numbered homes on odd dates, and even numbered homes on even dates.
The restrictions apply to all homes that source water from a public Napier City Council supply.
The council also advises residents to check for leaks and fix any leaking taps, pipes or cisterns and save water by taking shorter showers and turning taps off while brushing teeth.
Other tips from the council:
- Use 'eco' settings on dishwashers and washing machines if available and don't run them unless they are full
- Scrape dirty dishes rather than rinsing
- Limit toilet flushing: if it's yellow let it mellow
- Store drinking water in the fridge instead of running the tap cold.
- Don't water the concrete, use a directional sprinkler
- Reuse 'grey water' from the washing machine on lawns and gardens where possible
- Use a bucket of water when washing the car, rather than the hose
- Use a broom to clean paths rather than a hose
- Swimming pool owners - put off topping up and use a cover to minimise evaporation.