Significant rain leads to some water restrictions being lifted in the Far North

Restrictions were lifted entirely for households and businesses connected to council supplies in Kaikohe, Kaitaia, Kawakawa, Kerikeri and Paihia as of yesterday.

Significant rainfall over February 15-16 has prompted the Far North District Council to lift or ease water restrictions across the district.

Restrictions were lifted entirely for households and businesses connected to council supplies in Kaikohe, Kaitaia, Kawakawa, Kerikeri and Paihia as of yesterday. Level 2 restrictions, banning garden sprinklers and other unattended irrigation devices, remain in place in Rawene, Opononi-Omapere and Okaihau.

General manager infrastructure and asset management Jacqui Robson said that while restrictions had been relaxed or removed altogether, residents connected to council supplies should continue to use water responsibly.

"River and soil moisture levels are up across the district, so it makes sense to relax restrictions for residents and businesses for now. However, dry weather often continues well into April across the district. If we experience another long period without rain we may have reapply restrictions," Ms Robson said.

The Level 2 restrictions were remaining remain in place in the South Hokianga because of the vulnerability of their small stream sources, while in Okaihau, higher than normal water use across the year meant the council was nearing the limit of how much it could take from the aquifer supplying the town.

Exceeding that limit would breach its water-take consent from Northland Regional Council, resulting in fines and other "avoidable costs."

Ms Robson said a significant leak on private property had been fixed, but staff were looking for other possible leaks.

"We are asking Okaihau residents to check around their properties and report any suspicions they have of water leaking in the road reserve," she added.