Being waterwise - tips for saving water
Ka ora te wai, ka ora te whenua, ka ora ngā tāngata.
When the water is healthy, the land is healthy, and the people are healthy.
Water is one of our most precious taonga. It sustains our homes, farms, businesses, rivers and wetlands. Using it wisely helps keep our water supply secure through dry summers, protects the environment around us, and keeps the cost of delivering water services down for everyone.
Did you know each household connection across South Wairarapa, Tararua, Carterton and Masterton uses an average of 809 litres of water per day?
What we’re doing
Improving the management of our pipes, plants and other water assets, so we can invest in necessary upgrades at the right time.
Actively planning for a changing climate by building drought and natural hazard resilience into our long-term plans to ensure our infrastructure can serve our community now and for future generations.
What you can do
Small changes that make a big impact
In the bathroom
Shorten your showers – even 2 minutes less makes a big difference
Turn off taps while brushing teeth or shaving
Install a low-flow showerhead
In the kitchen
Don’t leave taps running. Use a bowl or fill the sink
Keep a jug of cold water in the fridge instead of running the tap
Only run dishwashers when full
Skip pre-rinsing if your dishwasher can handle it
If you’re buying a new dishwasher, look for its water efficiency rating.
In the laundry
Wash full loads only
Use eco settings where possible
Avoid over washing clothes that don’t need it
Opt for a front loader - an efficient front-loading washing machine uses about half the water of a conventional top-loader
In the garden and around the home
Water early or late to reduce evaporation
Use mulch to keep moisture in the soil
Collect rainwater to use for watering the garden
Wash your car using a bucket of water and give it a spray with the hose for rinsing
Get a trigger nozzle for the garden hose
On the farm
Regularly inspect troughs, pipes and irrigation for leaks
Irrigate according to soil moisture and weather
In business
Replace conventional taps with low-flow taps
Check for leaks to prevent unnecessary water loss
Install a rainwater harvest system to store and collect rainwater for non-drinking purposes
Spotting and fixing leaks
Spotting leaks is one of the easiest ways to stay in control of your water use. A dripping tap can waste up to 3,600 litres a year - that's more than a full bath every week!
What to do if you find a leak
If you find a leak or suspect you have one, contact a registered plumber as soon as possible. Keep a record of repairs for your own reference, and if the leak has caused damage, contact your insurer.
Water restrictions
Visit your local Council’s website to check what water restriction level your area is in.
Carterton: Water restrictions | Carterton District Council
Masterton: Water Restrictions - Masterton District Council
South Wairarapa: Water restrictions - SWDC
Tararua: Current Water Restrictions | Tararua District Council
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PLEASE NOTE
When this page is viewed in te reo Māori, the content is translated using a general translation service. It does not reflect the regional dialects (mita). Or the specific vocabulary and nuances of individual iwi and hapū. Automated translation may also contain errors or miss cultural context.