Rainfall in Tasman sees most water restrictions lifted

Richmond before the rain. Photo R Therkleson

Sunny Tasman should be in drought, but over the last weeks significant unseasonal rainfall has seen the immediate removal of all water restrictions, except for permit holders in the Moutere Eastern Groundwater Zone. 

This is despite a decision made earlier to reinstate water restrictions for a further two weeks, effective Monday 7 February 2022. Since then there has been considerable rainfall.

Tasman District Dry Weather Task Force Convenor Dennis Bush-King said “the appreciable rainfall since then has seen river, and most aquifer, levels rise to well above rationing triggers.”  

“I am sure this is welcome news to growers whose irrigation needs were ramping up.  The irony is that we don’t want too much water to fall as surface water flooding can cause different sorts of problems than drought, but both extremes can adversely affect farming operations.” 

The removal of the restrictions was effective immediately from the 4 February, 2022.  

Included are the restrictions applicable to domestic consumers connected to Council community supplies.(some being in Nelson)

Stage One rationing, meaning a cut in use by 20 percent of consented water take levels, will still apply to those in the Moutere Eastern Groundwater Zone. 

Dennis said, “that dry conditions are likely to return and continue through too April, so wise water use by everyone was encouraged.”  

The Council is also encouraging users in 88 Valley, Wakefield and Brightwater to be careful with water use following the recent rains as increased sediment will require the Council to use stored water not affected by silt. 

Monitoring will continue and restrictions will be reintroduced if flows and levels decline below the rationing triggers in the coming weeks.

The provisional rainfall (mm) for the first nine days of February in these locations in Tasman are as follows:

Murchison 174mm

Mokihinui 176mm

Aorere at Perry Saddle 618mm

Collingwood 279mm

Anatoki at Paradise 717mm

Takaka Aerodrome 502mm

Motupipi 402mm

Riwaka at Takaka Hill 233mm

Motueka at Woodmans 55.3mm

Mapua at Bowling Club 52mm

Moutere at Kellings Rd 49mm

Waimea at TDC Nursery 73mm

Richmond 104mm

Richmond Rangers. Photo R Therkleson

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