Another water wise summer needed in Waihemo

Published on 17 December 2025

Last summer saw Waihemo water supply stay below consented take limits.

Users on the Waihemo Water Supply were careful with their water usage in the 2024/25 summer, ensuring that the water taken from the Waihemo River did not exceed the limits of the supply’s weekly water limit in the Otago Regional Council consent.

In March 2024, Waitaki District Council was given a notice about exceeding its weekly water take by the Otago Regional Council in the previous summer. A Level 1 Conserve Water notice was put in place in December 2024, and data shows usage dropped across the summer.

The conserve water notice was lifted on March 26 2025, and Council’s contractors have been doing leak detection and repairs across Waihemo over the winter, to ensure as much water as possible reaches supply customers.

There is no Conserve Water notice in place, and with smart water use - one can be avoided.

This summer, Council is introducing 5 levels of water conservation. They are;

Level 1 – Conserve Water

Level 2 – Sprinkler Restrictions

Level 3 – Sprinkler Ban

Level 4 – No Outdoor Water Use

Level 5 – Essential Water Use Only

So, here’s a few things you can do to be water wise this summer;

• Turn your taps off properly and repair dripping taps, leaking pipes or toilet cisterns.

• Turn taps off while you shave and brush your teeth.

• Use your dishwasher and washing machine only when full.

• Limit the time you spend in the shower.

• Use a bucket to collect waste (grey) water from the shower, the washing machine or the sink to water plants or use on the lawn.

• Use a bucket to wash your car, rather than a hose.

You can find this information, and information on water waste, on Council’s website now.

ENDS

media@waitaki.govt.nz