Tasman Dry Weather Task Force Update: Water Restrictions Lifted

Water restrictions across the Waimea Plains including the urban areas Richmond*, Mapua – Ruby Bay, Brightwater, Hope, Wakefield, Tapawera and their rural extensions, have been lifted with immediate effect.

Tasman District Council’s Dry Weather Taskforce Convenor, Dennis Bush-King, said that the rain over the last few days and flushed the rivers and lifted groundwater levels slightly.

“We had enough rain to move beyond the rationing trigger levels. The Waimea River peaked at 140 cumecs on Sunday and is now down at 18 cumecs. While we didn’t get a lot of rain on the Plains, and soil moisture levels are still low, we can’t reasonably hold restrictions in place given the consultation trigger is 2.8 cumecs” said Mr Bush-King.

Groundwater levels in the Western Moutere and in Hau Plains are low and will continue to be monitored.

Mr Bush-king said the Dry Weather Task Force will review the situation on 7 January 2013.

* Richmond includes Daelyn Drive, Taranaki Place, Joyce Place, Kingi Place, John Sutton Place and Hill Street North including Mako Street, Marino Street and Iti Lane in Nelson