Current water restrictions

Water Use Graphs for Council Supplies (pdf, 96 KB) (pdf, 502 KB)

At the moment each scheme is using much less water compared to a similar period in previous years.This equates to about 25% less water on the Waimea Plains alone. This is good news and thanks to everyone doing their bit to conserve water.

The graphs show water usage since early January 2019 for council supplies in Brightwater, Dovedale, Eighty-Eight Valley, Mapua Ruby May, Redwood Valley, Richmond and Wakefield.

• The blue line represents the daily usage for the water scheme (averaged over the last seven days).
• The green line represents what the scheme would typically use at this time of year (this is an average over the last four years of usage during February and March).
• The red line represents a 40% reduction on normal usage which is what we are asking the community to achieve to help us to meet out consent requirements and protect our water supplies.

As part of managing the district's valuable water resources, Council also requires water usage data from resource consent holders via their water meter readings. This data is instrumental in ensuring sustainable water management particularly in summer when drier conditions prevail. In those periods, where drought impacts on water availability, water rationing and urban restrictions are critical to ensuring the preservation of the resource. 

Future restrictions will be decided at the next meeting of the Dry Weather Task Force.

Water zones restriction maps

Maps showing the various water zones around Tasman District and the current restrictions.

These will be uploaded when they become available.

Current Resource Management Act section 329 notices

This document will be uploaded when it becomes available.

When conditions are dry and there is a risk of low river flows and/or seawater intrusion into aquifers, we consider restrictions for water use through a forum called the Dry Weather Task Force (DWTF). The task force is made up of water user representatives and council staff.

• Water rationing and restrictions can be placed on both domestic users and water used as part of a resource consent.
• Different restrictions may apply to different areas and users, depending on the situation.

Emergency restrictions

During an emergency, we may restrict or prohibit the use of water for any specified purpose, for any specified period, and for any or all users.

We let people know by public notice, Newsline, on our website, social media and other channels.

The Council may enact penalties over and above those contained in the Water Supply Bylaw conditions to enforce these restrictions. 

Public Water Supply Bylaw

Tasman District Council Public Water Supply Bylaw 2016 - Amended 2019 (pdf, 1021 KB)

Further information

For further information about your water management zone or rationing stages, please contact the Council Compliance Team

The Dry Weather Task Force comprises elected councillors, Council staff, members of the various water user groups in Tasman, Fish and Game Nelson Marlborough Region, Nelson City Council staff, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry and Rural Fire representatives.

The Dry Weather Task Force was formed many years ago to manage water during dry periods in an informed and collaborative manner. The Task Force normally meets on Tuesdays of each week where a regional water resource update, water use/compliance and forecast of both climate and water demand is discussed. Recommendations are made to the Task Force and agreed decisions are then notified via a press release.  Water permit holders who have restrictions placed on them may also be notified directly, depending on the requirements of the restrictions imposed.

The Dry Weather Task Force is made up of primarily Waimea water users due to the susceptibility of this area to water restrictions. Other user groups are involved when it is relevant.

The Convenor for the Dry Weather Task Force is the Environment and Planning Manager of Tasman District Council. Key Council staff involved with the Dry Weather Task Force are:

• Convenor:  Dennis Bush-King - Environment and Planning Manager, Tasman District Council
• Water Resources:  Joseph Thomas - Resource Scientist/Water, Tasman District Council
• Water Metering:  Jim Trembath - Compliance Officer, Tasman District Council

Committee members

Dry Weather Task Force news releases

Any current news releases from the Dry Weather Task Force can be viewed from the link below.

Latest news from Tasman District Council

Related links

• Groundwater Levels information
• Rainfall information
• River Flow information

YOU CAN:

• Do outdoor washing (cars, windows, outdoor areas) with a hand held hose fitted with a trigger nozzle, water blaster or bucket.
• Water your flowers/trees/planters with a hand held 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 with a hand held hose fitted with a trigger nozzle, watering systems on a timer or a bucket.
• Top up a pool, spa or water feature.
• Use water for play.

YOU CAN’T:

• Water the lawn.
• Fill a pool, spa or water feature but you can top one up if needed.

YOU CAN:

• Do outdoor washing (cars, windows, outdoor areas) with a hand held hose fitted with a trigger nozzle, water blaster or bucket.
• You can water your flowers/trees/planters every second day only with a hand held hose fitted with a trigger nozzle, watering systems on a timer or a bucket. Watering listed protected trees is allowed using these methods.
• You can water your veggie garden and fruit trees with a hand held 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.

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 hand held 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 hand held 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.

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 hand held 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.

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.

This is an emergency situation. All water use is prohibited except for human drinking water, sanitation, medical, health and safety and firefighting purposes. Use of water for livestock purposes is prohibited.

YOU CAN:

• Conserve water whenever possible.
• Top up a pool, spa or water feature.
• Use water for play.
• Do outdoor washing (cars, windows, outdoor areas) with a hand held hose fitted with a trigger nozzle, water blaster or bucket.
• Water your flowers/trees/planters with a hand held hose fitted with a trigger nozzle, watering systems on a timer or a bucket. Watering listed protected trees is allowed using these methods.

YOU CAN’T:

• Water lawns/grass.
• Fill a pool, spa or water feature

YOU CAN:

• Conserve water whenever you can.
• Do outdoor washing (cars, windows, outdoor areas) with a hand held hose fitted with a trigger nozzle, water blaster or bucket.
• Water your flowers/trees/planters every second day with a hand held hose fitted with a trigger nozzle, watering systems on a timer or a bucket. Watering listed protected trees is allowed using these methods.

YOU CAN’T:

• Water lawns/grass.
• Fill or top up a pool, spa or water feature
• Use any water for play.

YOU CAN:

• Reduce water use by 10 – 30% of your baseline usage (Council will notify you about this)
• Wash vehicles using recycled grey water only.
• Do essential outdoor washing for safety reasons, by bucket only.
• Water your flowers/trees/planters every second day with a hand held hose fitted with a trigger nozzle, watering systems on a timer or a bucket. Watering listed protected trees is allowed using these methods.

YOU CAN’T:

• Water lawns/grass.
• Fill or top up a pool, spa or water feature
• Use any water for play.

YOU CAN:

• Reduce water use by 31 – 50% of your baseline usage (Council will notify you about this)
• Wash vehicles using recycled grey water only.
• Do essential outdoor washing for safety reasons, by bucket only.
• Water listed protected trees every second day with a hand held hose fitted with a trigger nozzle, watering systems on a timer or a bucket.

YOU CAN’T:

• Water lawns/grass.
• Water flowers/trees/planters.
• Fill or top up a pool, spa or water feature
• Use any water for play.

YOU CAN:

• Only use water for drinking, sanitation, medical, health and safety, firefighting and livestock purposes.

YOU CAN’T:

• Water your flowers/trees/planters.
• 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.

This is an emergency situation. All water use is prohibited except for human drinking water, sanitation, medical, health and safety and firefighting purposes. Use of water for livestock purposes is prohibited.

YOU CAN:

• Conserve water wherever possible in all water supply maintenance (applies to Council and its contractors).
• Do outdoor washing (cars, windows, outdoor areas) with a hand held hose fitted with a trigger nozzle, water blaster or bucket.
• Water flowers/trees/planters with a hand held hose fitted with a trigger nozzle, watering systems on a timer or a bucket. Watering listed protected trees is allowed using these methods.
• Water community veggie gardens with a hand held hose fitted with a trigger nozzle, watering systems on a timer or a bucket.
• Conserve as much water as possible in school/community pools.
• Use water for play.

YOU CAN’T:

• Water lawns/grass is not allowed apart from of bowling greens, croquet greens, golf greens, grass cricket pitches and grass tennis courts

YOU CAN:

• Conserve water wherever possible in all water supply maintenance (applies to Council and its contractors).
• Do outdoor washing (cars, windows, outdoor areas) with a hand held hose fitted with a trigger nozzle, water blaster or bucket.
• Water flowers/trees/planters every second day with a hand held hose fitted with a trigger nozzle, watering systems on a timer or a bucket. Watering listed protected trees is allowed using these methods.
• Water community veggie gardens with a hand held hose fitted with a trigger nozzle, watering systems on a timer or a bucket.
• Conserve as much water as possible in school/community pools.

YOU CAN’T:

• Water lawns/grass is not allowed apart from of bowling greens, croquet greens, golf greens, grass cricket pitches and grass tennis courts
• Use water for play.

YOU CAN:

• Wash vehicles using recycled grey water only.
• If you need to do outdoor washing for safety reasons, you need to do it by bucket only.
• Water flowers/trees/planters every second day with a hand held hose fitted with a trigger nozzle, watering systems on a timer or a bucket. Watering listed protected trees is allowed using these methods.
• Water community veggie gardens every second day with a hand held hose fitted with a trigger nozzle, watering systems on a timer or a bucket.
• Top up a school/community pool.

YOU CAN’T:

• Water lawns/grass areas.
• Use water for play.
• Use water for water supply maintenance (applies to Council and its contractors).
• Fill a school/community pool.

YOU CAN:

• Wash vehicles using recycled grey water only.
• Do essential outdoor washing for safety reasons, by bucket only.
• Water listed protected trees every second day with a hand held hose fitted with a trigger nozzle, watering systems on a timer or a bucket.
• Water community veggie gardens every second day using a bucket only.

YOU CAN’T:

• Water lawns/grass.
• Water flowers/trees/planters.
• Fill or top up a school/community pool.
• Use any water for play.

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 community veggie gardens.
• Do any outdoor washing (except for health and safety reasons or other emergency)
• Water the lawn.
• Fill or top up a school/community pool.
• Use water for play.

This is an emergency situation. All water use is prohibited except for human drinking water, sanitation, medical, health and safety and firefighting purposes. Use of water for livestock purposes is prohibited.