Published: 13 Nov 2015

Water and fire restrictions in dry South Canterbury

Dry conditions have triggered early fire and water restrictions around South Canterbury with a lawn watering ban taking effect from Thursday 12 November for all users of Council water supplies.

A restricted fire season is also in effect in the Rangitata Gorge, Mackenzie Basin and Hakataramea Valley.

With forecasters predicting a “pretty dry” spring and summer and rainfall levels significantly lower than normal this year the Council is monitoring groundwater levels and river flows.

Drainage and water manager Grant Hall said “that to maintain water supplies over the summer people need to start taking steps to conserve water now, which is why Level 1 restrictions are in place and this means no watering of lawns is permitted”.  

Hall said “the levels of restrictions that need to be put in place is dependent on how people respond to conserving water and the weather”.

Last updated: 24 Feb 2021