Hamilton - You're on

In summer, we get a lot less rain than the rest of the year and on top of this, the amount of water people use increases (for example, watering gardens and filling up swimming pools). The combination of these things can put pressure on our water supply. Water alert levels are put in place to help everyone play their part and ensure our precious water resource is being used responsibly and wisely so there is enough water for all.

Building a treatment plant just to cater for three months of the year when more water is needed for gardens and swimming pools is not sustainable and would cost rate payers millions of dollars.

A planned upgrade to the Hamilton's Water Treatment Plant is currently underway as part of the Long Term Plan. Scheduled to be completed by July 2024, this will increase the city’s capacity to treat water and cater for the needs of a growing city.

Recently a major upgrade has been completed for Te Awamutu, Pukerimu and Kihikihi areas with additional water being drawn from the Waikato River. 

We are privileged to have water on tap 24 hours a day but it is not a finite resource and we can't take it for granted. Even in New Zealand we can run short of water at times due to rising population,  changes in climate patterns or other factors that put pressure on supply. 

Water is the life giver of all things – ko to wai ora ngā mea katoa.  By using water carefully, we are protecting the health and well-being of our waterways. We are also ensuring that water is not wasted and there will be enough to go around when rain is scarce.

Water infrastructure, including treatment plants and pipes, is expensive. Reducing the amount of water that we use reduces the pressure on our existing infrastructure and can prevent or delay increased investment in new infrastructure. Using less water also reduces the amount of energy needed to provide clean safe water and to treat waste water.

From Hamilton and parts of Waipā, your water comes from rainfall in the mountains around Lake Taupō. Water flows into the mighty Waikato River bringing life-giving sustenance to the region.

Waipā also relies on local rainfall to feed Mangauika Stream and to supply bore water (water seeps through the soil filling aquifers deep underground).

Waitomo District relies on local rainfall to feed Mangaokewa Stream for Te Kuiti; a surface and underground stream for Piopio and a spring for Mokau.