Greymouth and Reefton are now both on water restrictions as the West Coast 'drought' conditions set in.
Restrictions were imposed in Reefton yesterday afternoon, followed by Greymouth this morning.
The last significant rainfall on the West Coast was on November 8, and long range forecasts have another fortnight of warm, sunny weather ahead.
The Grey District Council this morning announced it was putting a sprinkler ban in place from midday today until midday on Friday, when it would be reviewed.
Assets manager Mel Sutherland said the reservoir on the Omoto hillside was at just 28% capacity. Water was pumped there from the Grey River, which in turn was low.
Mr Sutherland said the council had to balance how much it could pump from the intake wells, against the risk of increasing turbidity in the main supply.
The notice to conserve water affects all of Paroa, Dobson, Taylorville and Stillwater.
