The Mangateretere Stream has dropped to near its minimum level, triggering the first stage of water restrictions imposed by the Hastings District Council. 

Hastings district council says the level two restrictions are an attempt to help conserve water for the summer months ahead.

It means 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 which source water from a public Hastings District Council supply.

As well as conserving water, using hoses and sprinklers during these cooler times of the day means gardens get the best out of the water as it is not quickly dried off by the heat.

HDC said it is implementing its water restrictions as required by the conditions of its resource consent from the Hawke’s Bay Regional Council.

Council is reviewing its watering programmes for its parks and gardens in the same way that gardeners are being asked to.

Hours of watering are being reduced and moved to the coolest times of the day at parks and gardens supplied from the public system. Some public parks and private green spaces, including the Hawke’s Bay Racecourse and the Tomoana Showgrounds Hawke’s Bay, have their own bores and so are not subject to the restrictions. 

To help conserve water, the council suggests people check for leaks and fix any leaking taps, pipes or cisterns, 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, turn off taps while brushing teeth, take shorter showers, limit toilet flushing and store drinking water in the fridge instead of running the tap cold.

Outside the home, people are advised to 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, and use a broom to clean paths rather than hosing. 

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