Current water restrictions

Water Use Graphs for Council Supplies (pdf, 58 KB) (pdf, 99 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. 

Water restrictions from Monday 1 April

Will be decided at the next meeting of the Dry Weather Task Force.

Water zones restriction maps

These maps show the various water zones around Tasman District and the current restrictions.

From Wednesday 20 March

Moutere Zones Water Restrictions Map (pdf, 2.1 MB) (pdf, 1.9 MB)

Waimea Zones Water Restrictions Map (pdf, 2.1 MB) (pdf, 2 MB)

Current Resource Management Act section 329 notices

S329 Notice - 20 March (pdf, 504 KB)

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 (pdf, 2.4 MB)

Further information

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

Urban users

Restrictions for everyone connected to urban water supplies and their rural extensions.

• Only hand-held hosing of gardens every second day is permitted according to your house number – i.e. if you have an even house number you may water on the even number calendar dates.
• No sprinklers

For water consent holders

Stage One rationing means a cut in use by 20 percent of consented water take levels.

Urban and rural extension users

Residential

• Watering grass and lawns is prohibited
• Watering productive gardens (fruits and vegetables for domestic use) is permitted on alternate days between 6pm and 8am only
• Watering flower beds, planters shrubs and trees is permitted on alternate days between 6pm and 8am only
• Filling or topping up pools is prohibited 
• Outdoor washing (for example, vehicles, windows, walls or driveways) is permitted using a hose fitted with trigger nozzle or a bucket only

Business

• Subject to the same restrictions on water use as residential water users

Public (Council and other community organisations)

• Must conserve water where possible
• Watering grass on lawns and sports fields is prohibited, except for the watering of special surfaces including bowling greens, croquet greens, grass cricket pitches and grass tennis courts which would otherwise become unusable.
• Filling community pools is prohibited; topping up community pools permitted (does not include the Richmond Aquatic Centre)

Consent holders

Stage 2 Restrictions mean a cut of 35% in permitted allocations.

Urban and rural extension users

Residential - hoses, sprinklers, irrigation or watering systems banned

• Watering grass and lawns is prohibited
• Watering productive gardens is only permitted using watering cans or buckets (fruits and vegetables for domestic use) is permitted on alternate days between 6pm and 8am.
• Watering flower beds, planters shrubs and trees is permitted on alternate days between 6pm and 8am only
• Filling or topping up pools is prohibited 
• Outdoor washing (for example, vehicles, windows, walls or driveways) is permitted with a bucket only

Business

• Subject to the same restrictions on water use as residential water users

Public (Council and other community organisations)

• Must conserve water where possible
• Watering grass on lawns and sports fields is prohibited, except for the watering of special surfaces including bowling greens, croquet greens, grass cricket pitches and grass tennis courts which would otherwise become unusable.
• Filling community pools is prohibited; topping up community pools permitted (Note this does not include the Richmond Aquatic Centre).

Consent holders

Stage 3 Restrictions mean a cut of 50% in permitted allocations.

Urban and rural extension users

Residential - hoses, sprinklers, irrigation or watering systems banned

• A ban on most outdoor water use by households and businesses. The exceptions are: watering fruit and vegetables with a bucket/watering can only on alternate days; firefighting; for genuine health and safety purposes.

Business

• Businesses connected to the Tasman District Council’s reticulated network must cut their water use by 25%.

Consent holders

Stage 4 rationing means a cut of 65% in permitted allocations.

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