Tasman Dry Weather Taskforce Update

For a second week Tasman District Council’s Dry Weather Taskforce convenor Dennis Bush-King has delayed the introduction of water rationing in the Waimea Plains.

“The situation remains of concern but the Waimea River is running at 3.1 cumecs which is above the rationing trigger. The rain last week has prevented dropping below the line, but river and groundwater levels generally are very low for this time of the year,” said Mr Bush-King.

“The worry is that without rain, and with the soil moisture levels being low, irrigation and urban water use increasing, we may have to move through the rationing steps very quickly as river and aquifer levels start to drop more rapidly; not a good Christmas present for the agricultural sector or residents.”

Mr Bush-King said the Council will continue monitoring the situation and the Taskforce will meet again next week.