Water restrictions ease

Water restrictions are set to ease across Tararua, but people are still being urged to conserve water as much as possible.

Many parts of the district are under strict restrictions because of a combination of little rain and infrastructure issues.

One issue is the Dannevirke dam, which was found in August to be leaking at least 1.3 million litres of water per day.

Yesterday, the Tararua District Council announced changes to restrictions.

Dannevirke and Woodville have dropped to alternate evening restrictions, while kitio has gone to no restrictions.

kitio has a total outdoor ban from Christmas to Easter most years.

Work is still under way to fix issues at the dam, with the council encouraging people to remain conscious of water use.

Pahīatua and Norsewood remain on alternate evening restrictions, while Eketāhuna has no restrictions.

Norsewood’s water consumptions remains high, putting pressure on bores.

Woodville’s consumption has been less extreme, while there was minimal risk of the Mangapapa River going to low flows. If Woodville’s situation did not change, the council would further reduce restrictions.