Council invokes water ban

... council must take a long-term view to manage this precious resource. Photo by ORC.
... council must take a long-term view to manage this precious resource. Photo by ORC.
The Otago Regional Council will stop all water takes from the Taieri River and its tributaries from noon on Wednesday, as the region faces the worst dry conditions since the 1999 drought.

Council chief executive Peter Bodeker said concern was also growing about low flows in the Lindis, Cardrona, and Manuherikia Rivers, as well as rivers in South Otago.

If conditions continued to deteriorate, some form of water shortage direction was likely to be issued in coming weeks to manage water in Central Otago catchments.

Mr Bodeker said the council had made the decision regarding the Taieri after staff reviewed river flow and rainfall data confirming conditions in parts of Otago were now worse than in 1999.

Predictions for the dry weather to continue through February meant the council now had no option other than to restrict all takes for irrigation to protect the river ecosystem.

''The Taieri has been running below its minimum flow at Waipiata and Tiroiti for several days, despite the superb rationing and rostering of water organised by local irrigators,'' Mr Bodeker said.

The drought-affected flows in the river must now be given over to nature to sustain the ecosystems, he said.

''We understand the dry conditions are causing severe hardship for many farmers and we have no desire to exacerbate or prolong this.

''However, council must take a long-term view to manage this precious resource and ensure the river system stays intact.''

More river gauging devices had been installed and staff were keeping an hourly watch on flow levels and weather conditions so, if flows returned to a sustainable level, water could be released for irrigation.

As conditions were so dry, the light rain of recent days would have a minimal effect on river levels.

''Having said that, all landholders relying on water takes should be aware that substantial rainfall is needed over several days to restore the Taieri, and other rivers that are low.''

Council chairman Stephen Woodhead said the council had not asked Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy to declare a drought in the region but was keeping him updated on the situation.

The council would be meeting farming organisations and other agencies this week to discuss the situation. Meetings with farmers would be held on Monday at Kyeburn Hall (3pm), Ranfurly Golf Club (5pm), and Middlemarch Hall (7.30pm).

Flows in rivers north of Dunedin were also low. All water takes from the Shag River had ceased. The Kakanui flow was being managed by the local irrigation group and was holding steady at or slightly above the minimum flow, he said.

A Ministry for Primary Industries spokeswoman said MPI had not received any formal requests for support from regional councils, Federated Farmers, rural support trusts or the wider community.

''MPI recognises the seriousness of the drought situation in some areas of Otago,'' she said.

This week it met rural communities, farmers, industry, rural support trusts and regional council representatives from both Otago and Canterbury to reassess the situation.

''What we're hearing is that, for now, rural communities are still managing, as farmers have been proactive and planned early, despite the continuing dry conditions in the region.''

MPI was keeping in regular contact with rural communities and farmers in the area to closely monitor the situation.

MPI's role focused on the level of recovery measures and support that might be needed in an adverse event, such as a drought.

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