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Water restrictions may be needed in the Queenstown Lakes as soon as next week after prolonged hot, dry weather and high usage.
Residents and visitors are being urged to conserve water as it's being used faster than it can be produced at peak periods in some areas.
Queenstown Lakes District Council infrastructure operations manager Simon Mason said the schemes in Luggate, Arthur's Point, Wānaka, Hāwea, Lake Hayes and Arrowtown were under particular pressure, but water usage was high throughout the district.
"In the event that the network continues to come under strain, temporary restrictions are likely to be required for properties connected to council's potable water supply, helping to safeguard water supplies for the event of an emergency like a wildfire," Mason said.
"We'll continue monitoring the situation but are now asking our communities to proactively make a few simple changes to reduce water use and help us to keep it flowing this summer. These small steps can help us avoid restrictions.".
The long range forecast suggested there was no reprieve from the hot and dry conditions despite some sporadic showers expected.
People were urged to cut back on using sprinklers or irrigation to water lawns or gardens and only water late at night.
That would avoid the worst of the heat and the high demand periods in the morning and evening.
Up to 20 litres of water [www.qldc.govt.nz/save-water could] be saved for every minute cut from showering and turning off the tap while brushing teeth or shaving could also save water as could fixing any water leaks.
The council's water restriction levels:
- Water alert level 0: No water restrictions, but please use water wisely at all times.
- Water alert level 1: Hand-held hosing kept to a minimum at any time. Sprinklers only from midnight to 6am.
- Water alert level 2: Hand-held hosing kept to a minimum at any time. No sprinklers at any time, and no contractor water takes.
- Water alert level 3: No use of outside water systems, no sprinklers or hand-held hoses at any time, and no contractor water takes.
