Tasman water restrictions begin

Tasman will introduce water restrictions for both urban and rural water users from next week as increasingly dry conditions grow in the region.

Stage One water restrictions for users in several water management zones will come into force from Monday, 24 January.

High temperatures and steady wind have persisted in the region leading the Tasman District Council to implement the restrictions.

Tasman’s Dry Weather Taskforce had its first meeting for the summer on Tuesday to assess the water situation around the district.

It was noted that dry conditions and increased water demand will see river levels drop, reaching trigger levels in the Wairoa and Waimea Rivers and the Moutere and Upper Motueka areas.

Taskforce convenor, Dennis Bush-King, said that given the current low soil moisture levels, increased irrigation needs and indications of “a long tail” of dry weather ahead, it was necessary to make the move now.

The Stage One rationing, meaning a cut in use by 20 per cent of consented water take levels, applies in the Upper Catchment, Reservoir, Waimea West, Delta, Golden Hills, Redwood and the Upper Confined Aquifer zones on the Waimea Plains, the Moutere Eastern and Western Groundwater Zones and the Motupiko, Rainy, and Tadmor water management zones.

Dennis says the Wai-iti zone is also affected by dry conditions, but water will be released from the Kainui Dam later next week.

Users in the Lower Confined Aquifer, Hope Gravel, will have another week before rationing is likely to come in.

“Imposing Stage One restrictions now is in line with our approach to managing water levels,” Dennis says.

“We could do with a good dose of 50mm of rain in the right place, but this does not look likely and indications are that dry conditions could run through to April.

“While all the Waimea water users - affiliated and unaffiliated to the Waimea Community Dam - are being treated the same as we move into this initial rationing step, we could see a change in the approach as we move beyond stage one rationing.”  

Phase A watering restrictions are also being introduced for urban water users in Richmond, Māpua – Ruby Bay, Brightwater, Wakefield, and Hope areas, and their rural extensions.

Nelson residents living adjacent to Champion Road, where water is supplied from the Richmond Water Supply Scheme, will also face Phase A water restrictions.

Under the urban restrictions watering of grass or lawns is not permitted.

Watering decorative and productive gardens is permitted using a handheld hose with trigger nozzle or time limited water system.

The key message is to conserve water where possible and try to water gardens early in the morning or late at night to prevent any wastage.

For pool owners, filling a pool is prohibited at this time, however topping up pool is still permitted. TDC encourage the use of covers while not in use to prevent evaporation during the heat of the day.

Water users on the Dovedale supply will also move to Phase A restrictions during this period.

Dennis says that the Anatoki Salmon Farm in Golden Bay is also likely to move to restrictions under their consent.

He encouraged people to conserve water and hints are available on the Council website.

He also said that regrettably a number of permit holders had been very slow in submitting water meter returns and the Council will be taking a firm line on requiring this information.

Full details of the restrictions can be found here, which will be updated prior to them coming into effect on Monday.