Carterton District Council [CDC] is helping people get ahead of expected summer drought conditions with a free water tank offer.
Early forecasts for Wairarapa suggest the coming summer is set to be hot and dry, with predictions of drought and strong heatwaves.
Restrictions are expected to be in force over summer to help conserve water and provide for firefighting capability.
The CDC giveaway involves providing tanks to 30 households that have gold card and community services card holders.
The recipients will each get a free 200L water tank.
The tanks cost $118 each, so the offer will cost CDC $3540.
The council has upgraded its water infrastructure in recent years to ensure a safe, continuous water supply to the urban water network.
New water tanks on Dalefield Road have four million litres of additional storage, but Carterton primarily relies on an aquifer in the southern part of the urban area and the nearby Kaipaitangata Stream for potable water. Both of these are vulnerable to dry conditions.
A statement from CDC yesterday advised people to start conserving water now, with the free offer an added incentive.
CDC chief executive Geoff Hamilton welcomes the initiative.
“Water storage and smart use in hot summer conditions is essential. Heavy rains, like those experienced in Wairarapa over the past two summers, take time to replenish water sources. Immediate action is vital to protect the environment,” he said.
He also urges households, businesses, and the community to practice water conservation.
“Carterton remains susceptible to prolonged dry spells. Despite these efforts, water restrictions are inevitable, as the water supply is finite. Water conservation is a key part of our resource consent requirements. Complying with conservation measures is not only a responsibility but also critical for preventing bushfires in dry conditions.”
Water tanks are also useful for other emergencies like earthquakes when ground movement is likely to cause damage to water pipes. Emergency water is the single best thing to store to be more prepared for a major earthquake.
More information on storing water is at www.wremo.nz/get-ready/home-ready/store-water
Entries for the free tanks are online at www.cdc.govt.nz/freewatertanks, or can be made via paper copies included in the December Carterton Crier or at the CDC offices in Holloway St.
Weekly draws will be held from 1 December to 26 January. Winners can collect their tanks from the CDC offices in Carterton or they can be delivered. Installation help is available on request.
-NZLDR
Public Interest Journalism funded through NZ On Air
I hope the urban rate payers pay for this and not rural rate payers who buy there own two 25k tanks and they are not cheap.