Water Restriction Levels

Outdoor residential water restrictions start at Level 1. Water restriction Level 1 applies all year round for Upper Hutt and South Wairarapa (Martinborough, Greytown and Featherston).

• If you live in an even numbered house, you can use sprinklers or irrigation systems only on even numbered days between 6-8am and 7-9pm.
• If you live in an odd numbered house, the same rules apply for odd numbered days.
•  You can use handheld watering devices any time, on any day, so long as you don’t leave them unattended. 

All unattended watering systems are banned – ie. sprinklers and irrigation systems.  You can water your garden by hand anytime, on any day, so long as you don’t leave your garden hose or watering device unattended.  For more information, check out Wellington Water's FAQs.

There is a ban on all residential outdoor water use. Businesses can continue to operate as normal, but please be pragmatic and responsible when watering.  Following Level 3 restrictions can reduce the risk of moving to Level 4. 

Water Restriction Level 4 means there is a significant water shortage.  At level 4 there is a ban on all outdoor water use, and we need to reduce indoor water use to ensure there is enough water for everyone. To help save water, people should stop all outdoor water use, take 2-minute showers, and limit their laundry use to 1 load per person per week. 

Water restrictions impose constraints on specific water uses, such as irrigating lawns, washing cars, filling swimming pools, or hosing down pavement areas. These restrictions may limit both the volume of water allowed for these activities and the designated time periods during which they are permitted.

Water restrictions are now in place for the 2023/24 summer period. Level 1 restrictions began at the start of daylight savings for all councils in the Wellington metropolitan region and apply all year round in Upper Hutt and South Wairarapa. 

We’ll let you know once the restrictions are lifted – this is usually close to the end of the daylight savings period, but the actual time they end depends on a number of factors including the weather conditions. 

We’re currently on level 1 which means If you live in an even numbered house, you can use sprinklers or irrigation systems only on even numbered days between 6-8am and 7-9pm. If you live in an odd numbered house, the same rules apply for odd numbered days.  You can use handheld watering devices any time, on any day, so long as you don’t leave them unattended. 

Sprinklers and irrigation systems are restricted to these times because it helps limit water evaporating in the heat of the day. Dividing houses by odd and even numbers of spreads, the load of daily water demand, and helps manage daily supply levels.  

Currently Upper Hutt is at Level one which means If you live in an even numbered house, you can use sprinklers or irrigation systems only on even numbered days between 6-8am and 7-9pm. If you live in an odd numbered house, the same rules apply for odd numbered days.

•  You can use handheld watering devices any time, on any day, so long as you don’t leave them unattended. 

Water demand in Wellington is peaking due to rising leaks, high water usage, and population growth. Approximately 45% of drinking water is lost to leaks, largely attributed to aging pipes with a significant backlog of renewals. The region's water consumption is notably high, particularly in summer, exacerbating strain on supply during low river levels.

The finite capacity of the drinking water supply system, coupled with an increasing number of leaks, is diminishing the operational buffer.

To be prepared for an acute water shortage with Level 4 Water Restrictions, we are working with Wellington Water to prepare our response to the risk this summer. This will outline how we (councils and Wellington Water) will manage the situation and engage with businesses, other public agencies, and the public should this occur. We are currently working on finalising the plan with Wellington Water.

We are also letting the public know early of the risks this year so they can be prepared and understand what actions they can take to reduce their water use - this will help to reduce the risk of tighter water restrictions later in the summer.

In the short term, Wellington Water is focusing on fixing the most significant water leaks (those that have the most impact on water supply) and replacing pipes. They are making the most of their available resources, within the funding levels set by councils in the region. 

Wellington Water have assured us they are doing all they can to optimise their activities within current funding and prepare for the possibility of a water shortage this summer. Their three focus areas in response to this summer are:

• Water loss management
• Monitoring and advice on restrictions
• Water shortage emergency response planning

Wellington Water has been managing our water infrastructure since 2014 and are working to repair them. 

To find out more about what they're doing to fix our leaks or to report a leak head to�� https://www.wellingtonwater.co.nz/resources/topic/water-conservation/leaks/#L-leaks

Wellington Water is also undertaking pressure management testing, to see how they can reduce water pressure without affecting residents’ day-to-day activities. High water pressure increases stress on the water network, which causes more leaks. Optimising the network pressure helps reduce leaks, and the amount of water lost through the leaks that do occur. This helps to extend the lifespan of the water pipes in the region, driving down costs associated with repairs and reducing disruptions to our customers.

We are also working with Wellington Water to help people understand water conservation best practice and provide some tips. For example, there’s a useful Water Calculator on Wellington Water’s website where people can find out more about their household’s average water usage and understand what can be done to reduce this.

We understand that the amount of water lost through leaks is frustrating, especially when we have to ask residents to conserve water.  Wellington Water are working to fix these leaks as best as possible, and work as triage system. To find out more about what they're doing to fix our leaks or to report a leak head to�� https://www.wellingtonwater.co.nz/resources/topic/water-conservation/leaks/#L-leaks

With a real risk of a water shortage this summer, the best chance we have of reducing our water restrictions is to work together and bring down our water use.

The public can do their bit by finding and fixing leaks on their property, following water restrictions, and taking simple steps to reduce water use at their place.

Investment in increased lake storage at Te Mārua is one of the key actions we are looking at as a council to help solve the increasing water shortage issue and provide a sustainable water supply for the region.