New Kapiti homes must all have water tanks
Radical water-saving measures have been introduced on the Kapiti Coast as drought conditions again kick in. All new houses built on the coast must either have a 10,000-litre water tank or a 4500-litre tank and greywater system for garden irrigation. The move by Kapiti Coast District Council should mean that by 2050 more than 40 per cent of homes in the district will have tanks or greywater systems, with potential savings of more than a third of the present town water consumption, water use co-ordinator Ben Thompson said. The change will mean no outdoor taps will be connected to the town supply and rainwater will be used to supply toilets, the laundry and outdoors. If tank water levels fall below 1000 litres, there will be provision for a limited supply of 600 litres of town water a day to top up rainwater tanks.