Published: 25 February, 2021
Tasman District Council Water situation update 24 February 2021
Tasman District Council Water situation update 24 February 2021
The Tasman District’s Dry Weather Taskforce has met and set the restriction levels for the coming week. The restrictions will be in force as of Monday 1 March.
With continuing dry weather and uncertainty over the predicted rain, stronger water rationing for consent holders will come into effect for the Dovedale and Motupiko Zones which will see a move from stage 1 to stage 3 (50% cut). The Rainy Zone will move from Stage 1 to cease take, a 100% cut.
The Moutere Eastern groundwater zone will remain at stage 1 and flow rostering will remain in place in Riuwaka and Little Sydney Stream. Households in these areas are reminded to use water for essential purposes only.
Dennis Bush-King, Dry Weather Taskforce Convenor says, “As predicted last week river and groundwater levels have dropped and the trend is downwards. With little rain in the forecast, it is even more important that people think seriously about their water use.”
“If the lack of significant rain continues it is very likely that further restrictions will be applied with relatively rapid escalation, however we are keeping a watch on any rainfall and will review restrictions if there is a significant rise in river and aquifer levels”.
This will mean for the second time this year Nelson residents living adjacent to Champion Road, where water is supplied from the Richmond Water Supply Scheme, will also face water restrictions.
The Kainui Dam has been releasing water into the Wai-iti River since mid-February to buffer the river flows. To cope with the increasing dry in the Wai-iti zone there will be a slight increase in amount of release from the dam, up to 170l/s up from 140l/s currently. The dam is around 79 % full at the time of writing. Hopefully with approximately 60 days capacity left in the dam, this will be sufficient to see us through the irrigation season.
Consent holders in the following Water Management Zones will move to Stage 1 restrictions, a 20% cut (excluding any individual consent specific cuts) effective from Monday 27 February.
Moutere Western, Tadmor, Glen Rae, Baton, Stanley Brook, Wangapeka, Tapawera, Waimea Delta, Waimea Delta (Un-affiliated), Waimea Delta (Affiliated), Waimea Golden Hills, Golden Hills (Affiliated), Golden Hills (Un-affiliated), Redwood, Waimea Reservoir, Waimea Reservoir (Affiliated), Reservoir (Unaffiliated), Waimea Upper Confined Aquifer, Upper Confined Aquifer (Affiliated), Upper Confined (Un-affiliated), Waimea Upper Catchments, Upper Catchments (Affiliated), Upper Catchments (Un-affiliated), Waimea West, Waimea West (Affiliated) Waimea West (Un-affiliated).
Councils reticulated water supply restrictions
The following restrictions will come into effect from Monday 1 March for Richmond, Brightwater and Māpua and the Dovedale reticulated water supply.
Richmond, Brightwater and Māpua/Ruby Bay will be under Phase A restriction. Under these restrictions you can:
- Do outdoor washing (cars, windows, outdoor areas) with a hand held hose fitted with a trigger nozzle, water blaster or bucket.
- Water your flowers/trees/planters and listed protected trees with a hand held hose fitted with a trigger nozzle, watering systems on a timer or a bucket.
- Water your veggie garden and fruit trees with a hand held hose fitted with a trigger nozzle, watering systems on a timer or a bucket.
- Top up a pool, spa or water feature.
- Use water for play.
You can’t:
- Water the lawn.
- Fill a pool, spa or water feature but you can top one up if needed.
Note: Nelson residents living adjacent to Champion Road, where water is supplied from the Richmond Water Supply Scheme are also subject to Phase A restrictions.
Phase D restrictions will be in effect for RESIDENTS AND PUBLIC ORGANISATIONS on the Dovedale reticulated water supply.
This Phase places restrictions on all use of water including;
- All use for pools, spas and water features is prohibited
- No washing of cars unless using grey water
- Watering of grass is prohibited
- Protected trees can be watered using a handheld hose or bucket but amenity gardens cannot
- Productive gardens can be watered every alternate day using a bucket (if your street address is an even number, water on even numbered days and likewise for odd numbers)
- Outdoor surfaces can be washed for safety reasons using a bucket
Phase D restrictions will also be in effect for BUSINESSES on the Dovedale reticulated water supply only.
Phase D for businesses requires a 30% reduction in all use as well as the restrictions for residential or public use.
Residents are also asked to keep an eye out for water leaks and to please call Council on 03 543 8400 to report any they see. Things to look out for include patches of green grass where everything else is brown and overflowing water tanks.
Full details of the water restrictions phases can be found at tasman.govt.nz/link/water-restrictions.
Ends
Contact: Dennis Bush-King, Dry Weather Task Force Convenor, phone 543 8430 or Richard Kirby, Engineering Services Manager, phone 543 8440.