Without rain water limits loom

Water restrictions in the Tasman district could soon be imposed unless there is rainfall to boost water levels.

Tasman District Council's dry weather taskforce deferred the introduction of water restrictions for at least another week after meeting yesterday.

Convenor Dennis Bush-King said river and groundwater levels in the Waimea Plains continued to drop.

Without rain, a decision to go to stage one restrictions – a 20 per cent cut in permitted take levels – is likely next week.

"The rain in January meant that we have held off restrictions, but we are certainly at the point where we would urge people to conserve water and use it wisely," Mr Bush-King said.

There were indications that it would rain next Monday.

But if the district did not get at least 20mm, the task force would meet again next Tuesday to review the situation.

- © Fairfax NZ News