With World Water Day approaching on March 22, Tauranga City Council says it's a perfect time to reflect on our own water use.

This year's WWD theme is groundwater – making the invisible visible.

Groundwater is the water found underground in the cracks and spaces in soil, sand, and rock.

Tauranga's water supply is sourced from streams that are primarily fed from groundwater.

Heading into summer the streams that supply Tauranga's water were at the lowest levels seen and as a result, the new Water Watchers plan was introduced in early November to provide our community with a clear, year-round approach for sustainably managing the city's water use.

A new online water dashboard provides an up-to-date source of data to help monitor Tauranga's source water streamflow levels, average water usage, and total water production.

The waters dashboard is a terrific tool for Tauranga to keep an eye on stream levels and stay focused on the need for ongoing water conservation. ​

Water services manager Peter Bahrs says the community has achieved great results so far, but the work must continue if we're to sustainably manage our water throughout the year.

'We want to thank the community for your water-saving efforts over summer.

'Our dashboard data shows us the Water Watchers plan has made a positive impact to water use by creating a more stable demand over the summer months.

'We've had less high-use peaks than in previous summers which is a great start, but despite recent rain stream flows remain low so it's important that we keep up the good work and continue to follow the plan year-round.”

Peter says as we enter autumn and the mornings are getting cooler and darker, we can all continue to play our part by following some simple guidance around outdoor water use like watering gardens and lawns, and washing cars.

From April, sprinklers and irrigation systems can be used again but use is limited to one hour between 4pm and 7pm.

For the Water Watchers plan please visit https://www.tauranga.govt.nz/council/water-services/water-watchers.