Local Board Update – September 2020
Important information for tank water users.
Are you a tank water user?
There are three things to consider ahead of what is predicted to be another dry summer:
1/ Understand your usage. Fit a tank level indicator and monitor usage in the periods between significant rain events. You must know your normal and then learn what steps you can take to reduce usage to make your storage capacity last longer.
2/ Consider additional storage capacity NOW. Adding additional capacity will reduce your requirement for water delivery during long periods without significant rainfall. However there will be no point in investing in additional storage capacity unless it is installed before the summer. There are often lead times for delivery of new tanks and installers need to be booked as well. If you are considering additional capacity act now…
3/ Lastly, don’t leave it until the last minute to book a water delivery. Water carriers will be very busy this summer just as they were last year.
Helensville is currently unaffected by the water restrictions that apply to Watercare’s metro network as it has its own independent supply. However last summer the huge demand from tank water suppliers meant that at times the Helensville filling station had its flow limited to ensure there was adequate pressure to fire hydrants. This slowed down deliveries making the demand situation worse. This situation will repeat itself this summer if there is another drought.
Some people have asked why Watercare doesn’t make a guaranteed provision for rural tank users? The simple answer is because Watercares services and infrastructure are paid for by its urban customers. To hook up to the urban supply requires an infrastructure growth charge fee of thousands of dollars and then there is the ongoing annual fees and water charges. These are not paid for by rural tank water users though our general council rates, urban water supply is a user pays service. In order for Watercare to cater to rural users they would have to work out how much water was required. We would need to come into a charging regime and it would probably have to be an ‘everyone in’ service. Those on tank supply that manage OK through droughts are unlikely to be happy about this sort of arrangement.
Council is looking at how it can assist with rural supply by developing addition capacity from suitable private bores. If you have one of these and would be interested in discussing this with Council please contact me on the email address below and I can put you in touch with the right staff.
Emergency 20lt filling stations will be available this summer however the supplementary tanker service provided will not due to budget cuts. This is why we are urging people to think about their tank supply now, get in touch with your local tank supplier now, leaving it until the end of the year or mid-summer will be too late!
The RUB* 