For the first time in three years, Tauranga won’t start summer with seasonal water restrictions.
But that’s not a licence to go wild with the hose.
A Tauranga City Council statement today said that since the $197 million Waiāri water treatment plant started operating in 2022, the city’s water supply has become more resilient and flexible.
It was Tauranga’s third water treatment plant, in addition to those at Joyce Rd and Oropi.
The city’s water is drawn from three spring-fed streams – Tautau, Waiorohi and Waiari.
Water meters were introduced in 2000.
In 2021, the council introduced its Water Watchers programme as part of a plan to manage the water supply year-round.
This had seasonal water-use restrictions that automatically kicked in every November and became stricter in December and January, before easing at the end of March.
Restrictions included bans or time limits on sprinklers, irrigation systems, filling pools and spas (unless granted), high-pressure cleaners and handheld hoses with a trigger nozzle.
The council said the seasonal restrictions would not be needed this summer.
People were urged to “continue to make wise choices about using water”, including watering gardens wisely and regularly checking for leaks.
The Water Watchers programme was transitioning from seasonal restrictions to an emphasis on ongoing, responsible water use, the council said.
“[The] council will continue to monitor water demand and source water stream levels closely, and restriction requirements may be reinstated if necessary.”
Water-saving tips and tricks are available on the council’s Water Watchers website.
3 comments
Now would be…
Posted on 27-11-2025 09:18 | By Shadow1
…a good time to reduce the price of water to ratepayers. The existing price is exorbitant and increases every year with no justification other than that of inflation. That, of course increases future inflation.
Come on Council, give everyone a break.
Shadow1.
It took a few years....!
Posted on 27-11-2025 14:23 | By Watchdog
Many many years ago (sounds like an episode of Star Wars!) I remember fighting the TCC over the installation of water meters. These were supposed to save money. Instead they cost over $10million to buy and install with an estimated $500,000 maintenance cost every year repairing, replacing faulty ones, etc.
I said at the time all we needed were more numerous Water Reservoirs around teh city to provide resilience.
Year after year with water meters supposedly saving us so much water, we got water restriction after water restriction every November over teh summer period.
At last we seem to have finally figured out water resilience.. And you water restrictions. But, let's still use the water judiciously and economically.
May the water pressure be with you.
No rationing?
Posted on 02-12-2025 15:25 | By morepork
I'll believe it when the season is OVER, not when it's STARTING. If so, great, but don't hold your breath...
Political deals to share water sources are still dependent on the climate.
The only practical way to guarantee water, independently of the climate, independently of argument over land rights and water ownership, and as a profit (NOT cost...) centre fpr the community, is through desalination.
Damming or storing the water would cost more, in the long term, than desalination, and neither of those will generate revenue.
I believe we should be buiilding a desalination plant NOW, am on record as saying so on a number of occasions, and posted accordingly when feedback was asked on the water plan.
Building a plant now would enable cost re-coup in 5 - 6 years (based on current water rates) and after that the plant generates money for the community.
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