Water Restrictions Reintroduced

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Last month’s downpours gave Nelson a temporary relief but water restrictions are back once again.

With the forecast not showing any significant rain for the next couple of weeks, Stage One water rationing will come into force in the Waimea catchment from Monday, February 15.

Tasman District Council’s Dry Weather Taskforce convenor Dennis Bush-King said Stage One rationing (a 20% cut in consented takes) will be imposed for those permit holders in Reservoir, Waimea West, Upper Confined, Delta, Upper Catchment and Golden Hills zones.

The Motupiko River is dropping and restrictions are not far off for its catchment.

The Motueka and the Moutere areas are bearing up well and no rationing is necessary at this time.

“The hot dry weather we are seeing at present is leading to dropping water levels in our rivers and creeks. The Waimea River is presently running at 2900 litres a second (l/s) and we expect it to fall to about 2500 l/s at the Wairoa Gorge by Monday.  Groundwater levels are dropping on the Waimea Plains and we are continuing to monitor salinity levels along the coastal areas,” says Dennis.

“The Dry Weather Taskforce will meet again next Tuesday to review the situation but water users need to conserve water where possible please. Thankfully, the drying southwest wind has not been too bad so far this year.  We appreciate that any future restrictions will hurt an increasing number of water permit holders at a time when they need water to size-up fruit and grow grass.”

Dennis says the urban water supply is holding up well but stresses that careful water use is important to delay the need for hosing restrictions.

The situation in Golden Bay is also dry with consent-based restrictions in place for Takaka and Anatoki water users.  Flow sharing is now in place for the Riwaka water management zone.