Sustained dry weather over Christmas and the New Year had seen flows in the Awanui River, Kaitaia's main water supply, fall to worrying levels, general manager infrastructure and asset management Andy Finch said last week, forcing the Far North District Council to impose Level 3 water restrictions on the town.
That restriction took effect immediately, on Thursday last week, prohibiting the use by residents and businesses connected to the scheme from using garden hoses, including hand-held, sprinklers or any other irrigation devices. Waterblasting and filling swimming pools from the mains supply are also banned.
Mr Finch said the restriction was required to protect the ecology of the drought-sensitive Awanui River, and to help avoid the need for even tighter restrictions in the future.
"Water flow in the Awanui River has dropped steadily over the last few weeks. Apart from the possibility of some rain in March, little meaningful rain is forecast by the MetService until May, or possibly later in the year. This is a real concern," Mr Finch said.
The council was exploring options to supplement the town's water supply from other sources, but in the meantime was asking everyone to conserve water as much as possible.
