Hot weather and very little rain over the past few weeks mean river levels and flow are rapidly reducing. Forecasts suggest temperatures will stay warm, and while we should see some rain, it’s hard to say exactly when or how much.

HERE'S WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOUR TOWN:

Dannevirke - Alternate day water restrictions

Water levels in the Tamaki River are getting lower, which limits how much we can take. To keep up with demand, we’re now using stored water from the reservoir, which has about 60 days' worth of supplementary water left.

If river levels continue to reduce then the reliance on supplementary water will increase and this will significantly reduce reserves. If we had to solely rely on the current available storage, as opposed to supplementary, it would reduce to 6 days of storage (that being said, there are some other options that could be used to mitigate and it would be ‘unlikely’ we would have to rely solely on stored water).

Dannevirke has the largest number of water connections in the district, meaning more households, businesses, and services rely on this supply. Warmer weather also means people use more water, which puts extra pressure on the system.

To help manage water use, we’re introducing alternate day water restrictions for Dannevirke until further notice.

Hand-held hoses (including sprinklers, garden hoses, and water blasters) can only be used on alternate days - i.e.

• If your house number is even, you can use them on even dates (e.g., 2nd, 4th, 6th).
• If your house number is odd, you can use them on odd dates (e.g., 1st, 3rd, 5th).

Pahiatua - Alternate day water restrictions

The Mangatainoka River is also running low, but we can still take enough water for now. Our reservoirs have about 4.5 days’ worth stored, but to be safe, 𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝘄𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 remain in place.

Eketāhuna- No restrictions

The Makakahi River is lower than usual, but we’re still able to take enough water. Our reservoir has about three days’ worth, and at this stage we don’t need to introduce restrictions.

Woodville - No restrictions

The Mangapapa River is too low for us to take water from it at the moment. The good news? Water demand has reduced by 7.2%, and there’s still 50–57 days’ worth of water in storage. For now, we don’t need to introduce restrictions.

Norsewood - No restrictions

Water demand use has reduced by 17%, and there’s no concern about supply at this stage.

Ākitio - Total outdoor hosing ban

With hardly any rain in the area and limited source of water, the total outdoor water ban reamins in place.

Pongaroa - No restrictions

No issues with the water supply at this stage.