Total hose and sprinkler ban in Thames

Low water levels at the Thames treated water reservoir has led to a total hose and sprinkler ban in the town.
Thames-Coromandel District Council Operations Manager Greg Hampton says water restrictions need to be imposed in Thames due to low flow rates at the township’s primary water source, the Mangerehu Stream.

He said the town’s back-up supply, the Kauaeranga River, has raw water discolouration and cloudiness possibly due to higher than usual water temperatures and recent rainfall. This is reducing the council’s ability to produce treated water at the usual rate.

“A total hose and sprinkler ban means people will not be able to irrigate their gardens or use hoses until we advise otherwise,” he said. “The peak holiday season may be over but water supplies are still under pressure around the district due to the continuing hot, dry weather. We need people to keep up their efforts to conserve water. It's vitally important.”

A total hose and sprinkler ban is also in place at the farming town of Matatoki, while a sprinkler ban remains in place in Tairua, Pauanui and Coromandel town.

Water restrictions are posted on the council website www.tcdc.govt.nz under the public notices section in ‘news and events’.