Changes to water usage kick in today for Auckland businesses, but not yet for the rest of us

Commercial businesses can now operate a handheld hose with a trigger nozzle, use water blasters, and run carwashes.

Watercare acting CEO Marlon Bridge says the extra water they've accessed is separate from the dams, and won't undo the hard work Aucklanders have put in to save over four billion litres of water.

He says the extra water will come from bores, aquifers and rivers - which typically run out to the ocean.

Residential water restrictions will be assessed at the end of November.