Residents in Lake Hayes Estate are just weeks away from getting an improved water supply that will put an end to the regular watering restrictions that have been a feature of summer life in the neighbourhood.

Lake Hayes Estate draws its water from the reservoir in neighbouring Shotover Country and QLDC is putting in a larger pipe to meet the increasing demand, particularly in summer.

Council Chief Engineer Ulrich Glasner says that the new pipe is due to be installed and operational by Christmas.

In the meantime, the Council is asking Lake Hayes Estate residents to go easy on watering their lawns and gardens for a few more weeks, as demand is close to exceeding the available supply.

“If people are able to reduce their consumption now, we can postpone and possibly even avoid having to impose watering restrictions until the new pipe is in place. After that, we expect that regular water restrictions will become a fading memory for the Lake Hayes Estate community.”

Mr Glasner says that a sprinkler can use up to 1300 litres of water an hour, so even one or two people watering their lawns for a few hours a day has a huge impact on water use.