The dry hot summer is resulting in a higher than usual demand for water in rural areas of Auckland; subsequently the demand for water tanker deliveries has rocketed and wait times extended. Areas most affected are Helensville and Wellsford in the Rodney ward and Beachlands in the Franklin ward.
“While it is the responsibility of property owners to ensure their private rainwater tanks have sufficient water levels to meet their needs, we are aware long waits for tankers is causing concern for some rural communities, say Deputy Mayor Bill Cashmore.
“Council recognises those concerns and together with Watercare, is able to provide an interim solution for a potable water supply to households in those areas running out of tank water.”
Auckland Council is opening selected community venues in affected areas to residents to fill a container of drinking water; there is a limit of 20L per person per day for essential domestic use to help get through until water deliveries can be made; residents will need to provide their own containers.
Auckland Council’s Head of Water Strategy Andrew Chin is encouraging residents to keep an eye on their rainwater tanks and plan ahead.
“We know the summers are getting warmer for longer. Rural dwellers need to be aware and place orders early rather than waiting until their situation is critical and putting tanker deliveries under pressure.”
“So while this situation continues, we would ask rural residents to check in with neighbours and assist and support in any way they can.”
Watercare provides 11 tanker filling stations across the region to private water tanker operators to on-sell. In January, 85 million litres of water was supplied through the filling stations, enough to fill 8,500 water tankers. The filling stations in Helensville and Wellsford have been closed, and two in Whangaparaoa have reduced flow rates to enable Watercare to meet the demand of its customers and to ensure enough pressure in the network for firefighting purposes. Other filling stations remain open.
Drinking water will be available from the following sites:
Helensville Community Centre – 49 Commercial Road
Open: midday – 7pm Friday, 7am to 7pm Saturday
Facilities: toilets, kitchen, outside taps, car parking
Wellsford Community Centre - 1 Matheson Road
Open: 7am to 7pm Saturday
Facilities: toilets, kitchen, outside taps, car parking
Note: there is painting work happening so there is scaffolding
Orewa Community Centre - 40-46 Orewa Square
Open: 7am to 7pm Saturday
Facilities: toilets, kitchen, outside taps, car parking
Te Puru Community Centre - 954R Whitford Maraetai Road
Open: 8am to 6pm Saturday
Facilities: toilets, showers, outside taps, car parking