Environment Southland has decided not to change its water shortage response, despite rain forecast for coming days.
Council staff met yesterday to assess the situation. Senior environmental technical officer Karl Erikson said the predicted rain could offer brief respite to people who relied on water tanks for their domestic supply, and might lift river levels; but would likely do little else.
A prolonged period of sustained rainfall was needed to make any material difference.
Environment Southland would continue to monitor the situation.
The region faces some of its lowest rainfall totals on record, resulting in very low river levels.
Staff said eight sites had exceeded their water abstraction cut-off limits, and more would if the dry spell continued.
Chief executive Ciaran Keogh said Southland's groundwater stocks had not yet been significantly affected but could if the dry spell continued. He said care should be taken to ensure appropriate management of water stocks in coming months.
Environment Southland staff will meet again tomorrow to assess the situation.
