Water restrictions put pressure on Pahiatua, Woodville

The Mangatainoka River by the Tui Brewery is already at February water levels.

While the rivers remain low, Pahiatua residents are asked to continue to conserve water and avoid overloading the town bore supply. With only 1.5 days treated storage in reserve, the council needs the co-operation of residents to keep water usage low.

"Although we can take some river water, we are having to do extra laboratory testing as part of our water safety protocols. The testing show traces of algae but is safe to treat" said Tararua District Council Chief Executive Blair King.

Reminders on the total hosing ban are being delivered to those who are noticed not complying. Mr King advised properties with repeat breaches risk having a water restrictor placed on their point of supply.

The council advises the new ultraviolet (UV) disinfection unit is now operational. Ministry of Health requires protozoa compliance - UV kills the protozoa. Post Havelock North's water contamination, there is a requirement to have 24-hour monitoring of the water. This has not been put in place yet."

Mayor Tracey Collis said Eketahuna is very dry and the Mangatainoka River is "the lowest I can recall seeing it. But it's still very clear and has the ability to come back to normal flows quite quickly," she said.

Additional sources of treated drinking water are being tankered in and will be available for residents with their own containers from late Tuesday outside the Bush Multi Sports Stadium. In Woodville there will be drinking water available from two sites: the corner of McLean and Vogel Streets and the Woodville Stadium.

"Water is a precious resource when we get dry periods like this. Recycling grey water and thinking about water use in general is imperative," said mayor Collis.

The Mangatainoka River by the Tui Brewery is already at February water levels. Campers have made a stone paddling pool in the picture.