Ongoing dry weather has triggered the activation of Auckland’s Drought Management Plan, with the city’s total dam storage now sitting at 66.5 per cent.

While the levels have dipped below the historical average for this time of year, officials assure Aucklanders that mandatory water restrictions are unlikely in the coming months.

Over summer, the Hūnua dam catchments, which provide two-thirds of Auckland’s water, experienced 27 per cent less rainfall than usual, while the Waitākere catchments saw less than half the normal rainfall.

Despite this, Auckland's chief operations officer, Mark Bourne, reassured residents that the situation is being managed effectively.

“We’ve been monitoring dam levels, water demand, and weather patterns closely and actively managing our supply network to ensure we are in a strong position to weather an extended dry spell,” Bourne said.

Aucklanders have been urged to continue being mindful of water use, following habits formed during previous dry spells.

Bourne highlighted that although the weather forecast for March looks dry, normal rainfall is expected to return by autumn, with the potential for wetter-than-usual conditions in winter.

For now, the primary focus is on managing demand and maintaining efficient water use.

Simple actions like taking shorter showers, using trigger nozzles on garden hoses, and addressing any leaks can help reduce water consumption.

Bourne commended Aucklanders for their efforts, pointing out that water consumption last week remained well below peak levels seen during the 2020 summer drought.

To put it in perspective, Auckland's water consumption averaged 496 million litres per day, compared to 549 million litres during the height of the 2020 drought.

Watercare’s efforts to manage supply are ongoing, with water being produced at the Waikato water treatment plants to slow the rate of dam decline.

The city’s maintenance crews are also working diligently to fix leaks, with 16,112 leaks reported and repaired since the start of summer.

Proactive leak detection efforts continue across Auckland to address hidden issues.

Mayor Wayne Brown has expressed confidence in Watercare’s management of the situation.

“Watercare is taking appropriate actions, and I am satisfied with how they are handling the situation,” he said.

To support water conservation, Aucklanders are encouraged to:

• Keep showers to four minutes or less, even on hot days
• Use water pistols or small paddling pools to cool off children, rather than sprinklers
• Attach a trigger nozzle to garden hoses to reduce wastage
• Water gardens during early morning or dusk to minimise evaporation
• Regularly check for leaks in the home

By continuing to take these simple steps, Aucklanders can help ensure that the city remains prepared, even if the weather proves drier than expected.

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