Rarotonga’s water authority, To Tatou Vai (TTV), has once again warned members of the public that the water pressure will be low as a result of the low-rainfall affecting mostly residents living in higher ground.

In response to queries from Cook Islands News, TTV chief executive officer Tereapii Timoti confirmed that those living in the higher ground areas were affected.

“Yes, they do get water but at reduced pressure,” Timoti said.

“The conservation message we are pushing out allows more water to stay in the pipework helping maintain pressure thereby enabling water to reach higher grounds.”

On Tuesday, To Tatou Vai issued a “Low Pressure Warning” statement to inform the public of the situation.

In the statement, the water authority explained that due to the current dry spell, the collective water production across the island’s 10 water treatment plants have dropped to less than 60 per cent last weekend.

However, on Monday, the water production rose again above the 60 per cent mark but with low-rainfall predicted in the coming week, TTV reminded the public to remain conscious and continue being conservative with water consumption,

“In the interest of being proactive rather than reactive TTV activated our internal protocol which involves strategising different ways the distribution network can be operated – including how water can be re-routed to areas that experience the worst water-pressure,” TTV stated.

In August of this year, there was an island-wide water crisis that lasted nearly a month, despite intermittent showers. Some residents, especially those living in higher areas, faced reduced pressure or no water in their taps.

To Tatou Vai’s intakes were severely impacted by the lack of consistent rainfall, resulting in some residents struggling to access reliable running water in their homes or experiencing no running water at all on a daily basis. Five intakes were running between 30 per cent and 43 per cent capacity, four were running between 68 per cent and 84 per cent, and just one intake was at full capacity.

The crisis was alleviated by much needed rain in early September with all intakes above 80 per cent capacity following the day of the rain.

Rarotonga’s predominant water source is surface water from springs and streams within the catchment valleys. Low levels in the island’s water intakes continues to place an immense strain on the local water distribution network, TTV earlier said.

Meanwhile TTV introduced water tariffs for residents and businesses on October 1, 2024. Invoices for all water users in Rarotonga, except agricultural users, will be generated in early November and will be due by November 20.

For residential users, the water authority has set a $17 per month per connection or household for consumption of not more than 50,000 litres per month. The $17 monthly charge will be fully subsidised by the government as provided for in To Tatou Vai Act.

Residential users will have to pay $34 per month for consumption between 50,000 litres and 100,000 litres.

Churches, community halls and schools will be charged at the domestic (residential) rate.

The commercial rates are divided into blocks. For Block 1, up to 50,000 litres per month per connection, commercial users will be charged $34. For each subsequent block of 50,000 litres per month per connection, they will be charged $68. The total charge is derived from $34 for Block 1 plus the total for the subsequent blocks.