THESE MAY BE YOUR THE LAST WATER RESTRICTIONS

WATER RESTRICTIONS

Heavier water restrictions imposed on Tasman urban areas 

27 February 2024

The smattering of rain we received over the weekend has done little to change the demand on the public water supply in Tasman District and there is little rain forecast. 

As a result, the areas affected by the revised water restriction levels for users of Council-managed urban reticulated supplies, will see some or no change to the restrictions imposed by the Tasman District Council this week. 

Effective immediately, residents in Richmond, Hope, Māpua/ Ruby Bay, will move to Phase E restrictions while users in Brightwater and Wakefield will remain on Phase A. 

In the rural schemes, the weather with a combination of water user behaviour, has enabled a variety of restrictions to be put in place; 

• The 88 Valley scheme will remain on Phase C, 
• Dovedale will remain on Phase D, and  
• the Redwood schemes will move to Phase E. 

Nelson residents living adjacent to Champion Road, Wakatū Industrial Estate, and parts of Saxton Road West, where water is supplied from the Richmond Water Supply Scheme, will also face Phase E water restrictions. 

Commercial users and public institutions in Richmond, Hope, Waimea and  Māpua /Ruby Bay areas will be subject to Phase D restrictions which is effectively a 30% reduction in water used. 

Tasman Group Manager – Community Infrastructure Richard Kirby says the changes, in terms of the extent of restrictions, have been dictated by the need to keep within our consented takes and the efforts of water users.” 

"Our message to use water according to their area’s phase level is more important than ever - conserving water as much as possible will lower the demand and therefore reduce the severity of the restrictions we put in place in the future.” 

Richard Kirby says These restrictions remain due to the lack of meaningful rain in forecasts for the next few weeks, but there is light at the end of the tunnel regarding the Waimea Dam's ability to support water users. 

"It is understood Waimea Water Ltd is on the verge of enabling one of three pipes currently being constructed at the foot of the dam, as opposed to relying on the spillway by the end of the week. This pipe will support a greater flow into, and increased levels in the Lee River than has been delivered in the last few weeks over the spillway. 

Richard Kirby expects other pipes will be enabled over the next few weeks. 

“This does not mean the dam has been commissioned effecting handover from the construction team, but it does mean urban and commercial water users downstream will begin to see the value bought to the area by the investment in the dam.

Information around water tips can be found at www.tasman.govt.nz/my-property/water/water-saving-tips 

More information around water restrictions can be found at Current restrictions - reticulated | Tasman District Council

Phase A restrictions mean;  

• watering of grass or lawns is not permitted.  
• Watering decorative and productive gardens is permitted using a handheld hose with trigger nozzle or time limited water system.  
• Filling a pool is prohibited, but pools can still be topped up.  

Under Phase C: 

YOU CAN: 

• Wash your car using recycled grey water only. 
• Do essential outdoor washing for safety reasons, using a bucket only. 
• Water your flowers/trees/planters every second day only with a handheld hose fitted with a trigger nozzle, watering systems on a timer or a bucket. Watering listed protected trees is allowed using these methods. 
• Water your veggie garden and fruit trees every second day only with a handheld hose fitted with a trigger nozzle, watering systems on a timer or a bucket. 

YOU CAN’T: 

• Water the lawn. 
• Fill or top up a pool, spa, or water feature. 
• Use water for play. 

Under Phase D: 

YOU CAN: 

• Wash your car using recycled grey water only. 
• Do essential outdoor washing for safety reasons, using a bucket only. 
• Water listed protected trees every second day only with a handheld hose fitted with a trigger nozzle, watering systems on a timer or a bucket. 
• Water your veggie garden and fruit trees every second day only using a bucket only. 

YOU CAN’T: 

• Water your flowers/trees/planters. 
• Water the lawn. 
• Fill or top up a pool, spa, or water feature. 
• Use water for play. 

Phase E: 

YOU CAN:  

• Only use water for drinking, sanitation, medical, health and safety, firefighting, and livestock purposes. YOU CAN’T: 
• Water your flowers/trees/planters. 
• Water your veggie garden. 
• Do any outdoor washing (except for health and safety reasons or other emergency) 
• Water the lawn. 
• Fill or top up a pool, spa, or water feature. 
• Use water for play.

Tasman District Council.

Pigeon Post News, Richmond.