Level 2 water restrictions have been implemented across the Ashburton District, in response to a jump in water consumption and no significant rain in the forecast.

The restrictions mean residents may only water from a hose, sprinkler or irrigation system between 6pm and midnight on assigned days.

Group Manager of Infrastructure Neil McCann said Ashburton’s daily water use had been over 20,000 cubic metres nine times in the past four weeks.

“Our resource consent to take water has a daily limit of 25,000 cubic metres, so that has been the driver for the water restrictions introduced today. We’ll review the situation regularly, but there’s no substantial rain in the forecast for the next two weeks and we know consumption will keep rising as summer kicks in.”

Assigned days are:

Ashburton, Tinwald, Lake Hood, Methven, Rakaia and Hakatere – even numbered properties on even dates, odd number properties on odd dates. Watering from 6pm-midnight.

Hinds – properties east of the railway lines on even dates, properties west of the railway lines on odd dates. Watering from 6pm-midnight.

Mayfield – properties east of Arundel Rakaia Gorge Road on even dates, properties west of the Arundel Rakaia Gorge Road on odd dates. Watering from 6pm-midnight.

Mount Somers – properties with frontage to Pattons Road on even dates, properties without without frontage to Pattons Road on odd dates. Watering from 6pm-midnight.

Chertsey – properties east of Maldon Street on even dates, properties west of Maldon on odd dates. Watering from 6pm-midnight.

Fairton – properties with frontage to Waymouth Street or Deans Street on even dates, properties without frontage to Waymouth Street or Deans Street on odd dates. Watering from 6pm-midnight.

Mr McCann said managing demand and maintaining levels of service for residents on council water supplies was crucial.

“One of the summer issues we see is when everyone is using water at the same time and pressure levels drop and problems are reported.

“The time period from 5pm to 9pm is typically when demand increases significantly, and that is partly due to people watering their gardens and lawns.

“It’s been many years since Council has had to implement water restrictions so we’re asking residents to use water in smart ways and hopefully there’ll be no need to escalate to hand held hosing only.”

Council keeps a close eye on consumption at all its 10 community water supplies across the district and household water use has been rising across all of them over the past few weeks.

If your property has a water meter, it’s also good practice to check it regularly for unusual water consumption that might indicate a leak. Check your meter last thing at night and then first thing the following morning to monitor how much water you are using – it’s usually none or very little at night, unless there is a leak.

Read more about the five levels of water restrictions that Council can implement.