Carrot's waterflow on demand

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 12, Issue 542, 28 June 1994, Page 5

Carrot's waterflow on demand

Water usage at the Ohakune Carrot site is to be strictly monitored by council staff, it was decided at last week's meeting of the Waimarino Community Board. Board members expressed concern at the large volume of water being used at the site. A flow meter recorded usage of 1.33 litres per second, equating to a monetary figure of around $1700 of water on low (mid-winter) rate and $6000 on high (mid-summer) rate annually. Area engineer Don Sattler told the meeting that it would be possible to reduce the volume of water, by turning on the supply only when needed. Regular monitoring of the

state of the waterways.surrounding the Carrot and adding water only when necessary was the logical solution, he said. The board voted to appoint one member of Parks. and Reserves staff to report once monthly on the condition of waterways and treat accordingly. Board member Ben Goddard suggested that the board' s time and money might be better spent locating the town's unidentified water leakages rather than disputing that at the Carrot site. If the board concentrated on picking up on where the other water is going, those subsequent water savings would subsidise the cost of the carrot, he said. "We only have to take note of how many people stop at the Carrot. It is a major attraction for the area," said Mr Goddard. "It is a small cost when we consider the returns."