High temperatures mean water restrictions are in place for Gore and Mataura.
The Gore District Council announced yesterday it was moving immediately to level 2 water restrictions for Gore and Mataura.
Residents can only water vegetable gardens, using any method, from either 7am-9am or 7pm-9pm, but must use a handheld hose or bucket to water flower gardens, trees or shrubs. A total ban on watering grass is in place.
The council last imposed water restrictions on urban areas in the summer of 2019-20.
Council 3 waters project engineer Aaron Green said Niwa’s climate outlook for March to May indicated a 65% chance of above-average temperatures.
The water level at Gore’s primary water source, Cooper’s Wells, was holding its own.
However, the council had started pumping from the Mataura River to supplement the Jacobstown Well, which was at its lowest level since it was commissioned in 2009.
The average daily water use from the well in the past month was significantly up on the same period last year, Mr Green said.
The council started topping up Mataura’s water supply from the Mataura River earlier this month as the Pleura Dam was low.
