Sports grounds hard hit in dry

The drought crisis affecting farmers in Wairarapa is also having an impact on sports grounds and council gardens and reserves.

Sports fields around Wairarapa have been affected by the lack of rain, making some so hard they are unsafe to play on.

Wairarapa Bush Rugby Union community rugby administrator Doug Bracewell said most clubs are responsible for their own grounds and have to adhere to council rules on water use.

"Water restrictions have impacted heavily on the sports grounds," he said.

The council met the Council of Clubs last week to decide whether to open the season as scheduled on March 23 as hard grounds can create safety issues.

They agreed to keep the start date but the union is responsible for making sure the grounds are safe to play on.

He said the organisation has considered holding more than one game on a ground to keep the season going.

Water restrictions are in place in Masterton and South Wairarapa until the end of the month, and an alternate-day sprinkling ban is in place.

Masterton District Council chief executive officer Wes ten Hove said the summer water restrictions have been in place for many years and the community has once again complied with them extremely well.

The council also must abide by the restrictions when using both the town supply and resource consented takes from the rivers to irrigate the town's garden beds and sports fields. A water truck also irrigates juvenile street trees once a week.

"It complies fully with the summer water restrictions, watering on alternate days or less frequently, often just on Mondays and Fridays. The fountain in Queen Elizabeth Park recirculates water and therefore is still running every day at present," said Mr ten Hove.

"As the dry weather continues, we are currently considering postponing the renovation programme for our sports fields until such a time when we have a more regular supply of water."

South Wairarapa District Council utilities manager Jean-Paul Irwin said restrictions meant commercial operators - mainly vineyards - were not allowed to irrigate during the day and households could use hoses on alternate days.

Carterton District Council corporate services manage Marty Sebire said water usage was metered, which has successfully pulled back demand. "We haven't had any water restrictions in the last two years."