With Rarotonga facing water shortage despite occasional heavy downpours, To Tatou Vai is continuing to encourage the public to be mindful with their water use in the light of car wash fundraisers hosted around the island over the weekend.

The car wash fundraisers were held by two separate groups, one stationed across from the Cook Islands Police Station in Avarua and the other in Avatiu, near the harbour.

To Tatou Vai spokesperson Jaewynn McKay said that they became aware of the car wash fundraisers on Saturday morning.

There is currently no requirement for individuals or groups to seek permission from the water authority before holding such events, McKay clarified.

However she says it’s disappointing that people are not applying common sense, nor following requests from To Tatou Vai urging people to save water.

McKay said the request for the public to hold off from car washes was published in To Tatou Vai’s public notice.

Local environmental non-governmental organisation (NGO) Korero o te Orau was one of the group’s that held their car wash fundraiser on Saturday.

Group executive member Jackie Rongo came forward to speak on the concerns that were raised over the weekend.

The organisation which stands behind its dedication to protecting the culture, environment and natural resources of the nation has held multiple fundraisers in the past, especially to raise funds for the many projects they organise with the country’s youth.

The group had no ill intention behind doing a car wash which was simply to show their youth how to make money through their own hard work, said Rongo.

She stated that they did not know about the other car wash taking place but quickly alerted her team to stop shortly after being made aware of a few concerns being raised on the social media platform, Facebook.

The youth swiftly packed up and moved onto their second fundraiser which was a sausage sizzle and chicken roll sales held outside CITC Supermarket.

The organisation had another car wash fundraiser planned for the week before but this was cancelled as they were aware that the water supply was low.

With the rain the island received in this past week, Rongo said they thought it would be okay to hold the car wash fundraiser as their water pressure in Avatiu was doing alright.

“We can only do our best with seeking approval from the relevant authorities to utilise the space and watch the weather ourselves,” Rongo said.

She said they based their decision to hold the car wash purely on the fact that the island did receive rain the week before.

Rongo ensured that the organisation would endeavour to check with To Tatou Vai next Friday even if it rains during this week to ensure the island’s resources are in a good state overall.

To Tatou Vai’s McKay said: “Whilst we had a heavy downpour a week ago, it fell well short of the supply needed before restrictions can be uplifted.”