Water restrictions increase

Water restrictions in the Clutha district have been increased as continuing dry weather depletes water supplies.

Clutha District Council service delivery group manager Jules Witt said high level water restrictions were necessary for several schemes to avoid widespread outages in the upcoming weeks.

Schemes on the high ''Stage 3'' restrictions included Balmoral, Glenkenich (including Waikaka and Pukerau), Lawrence, North Bruce (including Tokoiti and Waihola), Richardson North and South (including Kaka Point), South Bruce (including Cherry Lane and Benhar), Tapanui and Tuapeka East and West.

Mr Witt said with the continuing hot and dry weather, previous water restrictions were escalated for those areas.

''Watering your garden can only take place using a hand-held hose on one day a week from 8pm in the evening until 8am in the morning - not during the day.''

Mr Witt said there were limited opportunities for rural water scheme users to restrict usage as most of the water was used for stock, but there was ''certainly'' a lot of choice for township residents.

The additional restrictions were due to high demand and reduced reservoir levels on several rural and urban water schemes.

Stage 1 water restrictions still existed on the Balclutha, Clinton, Kaitangata and Wangaloa, Milton, Stirling and Owaka water schemes. Residents could still use hoses, sprinklers and irrigation systems in these areas but only from 8pm until 8am.

The council has also begun restrictor checks in rural areas with high demand. Mr Witt said action could be taken against farmers where unauthorised removal or tampering of restrictors had occurred.

''This impacts on all users of these schemes.''

He asked users to remind neighbours and make sure that everyone knew the restrictions were in place.

Exemptions may be granted on a case-by-case basis to commercial properties.

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