The recent wet weather has seen a respite to the dry in the Bay of Plenty - but not enough to lift dry weather warnings yet.
Rainfall recorded since the start of November has exceeded what was recorded for the whole of October and has provided some temporary respite in the soil moisture levels and low river flows across the region.
Yet, Bay of Plenty Regional Council staff monitoring the dry weather situation are realistic that further significant rain will be required to offset the long term deficits of low rainfall that have occurred.
The summer of 2019/2020 saw some of the lowest-ever recorded rainfall and stream flows in the Bay of Plenty and the regional council is still asking users to plan their water use for this summer.
Bay of Plenty Regional Council Water Shortage Event Manager Steve Pickles said the rain over the last couple of weeks had been welcomed but it would not be enough yet to replenish water tables properly and get the region through another long dry summer.