Water Shortage Directions which begin on Monday 19 February 2024 will continue to affect several water management zones across the Tasman District.
“The District has had no beneficial rain over the last week, bar some minor drizzle and the current weather forecast indicates minimal rain for the coming fortnight,” Dry Weather Task Force Convenor Kim Drummond said.
“All the regions’ rivers and aquifers are in various stages of decline, with some at or about the mean annual low flow and others just above this flow."
The Moutere Deep Groundwater area still presents the highest level of concern, while dry soil conditions in Waimea, Moutere and Dove areas have also prompted new measures to be taken.
Moutere Eastern Groundwater zone will stay in its current Stage 4 rationing or a 65% reduction in authorised weekly usage - while Moutere Western Groundwater will move to Stage 1 rationing, or a 20 per cent reduction.
The existing cease take for Moutere Surface, Dove and Powley Creek Zones remain in place.
The Motupiko and Rainy water management zones will move to Stage 2 rationing – or a 35% cut to authorised weekly use - from Monday.
Waimea Unaffiliated A permits also move to Stage 2, while Unaffiliated B permits will move to Stage 1 (20 % reduction) .
The Waimea takes continue to be managed in the context of the Waimea Dam not being fully operational. This means the decisions taken through the dry weather task force apply differently to affiliated and non-affiliated permit holders, as per the Tasman Resource Management Plan.
Waimea Affiliated A Permits Move to Stage 1 – or a 20% reduction in authorised weekly usage – which covers Waimea Delta, Golden Hills, Waimea Reservoir, Waimea Reservoir, Upper Confined Aquifer and Waimea Upper Catchments.
The Waimea rationing decisions are subject to Wairoa River Flow changes and can be lifted quickly if Wairoa River flow rises above the respective triggers.
The flow below the Waimea Dam has been sitting at just under 600 l/s this week, based on the spillway flow.
Water from the Wai-Iti dam water has been released since last week and more water releases would be implemented as required to boost river flows.
Catchments that are signalled for watch for restrictions if no beneficial rainfall falls after next week are the other Upper Motueka Zones and Golden Bay Catchments.
Council is also monitoring salinity level in groundwater wells/bores in both the Motueka and Waimea Plains coastal margins on a weekly basis.
“The ongoing dry weather conditions are beyond our control however our ability to manage water use is something we can influence through our own actions as we move towards the latter end of summer,” Kim said.
“As we’ve said previously, the efforts of everyone to minimise their consumption has been greatly appreciated and our data has demonstrated that responsibility for compliance is being taken seriously.”
Staff will continue to monitor and update information, with the Dry Weather Task Force team next reviewing the situation on Tuesday 20 February.
In the meantime, it is important that consent holders are familiar with their Resource Consent conditions.
These restrictions do not apply to users of Council-managed reticulated water supplies, which are subject to alternative restrictions.
Get more information on current restrictions for consented and private supplies.