There was an unseasonal amount of rainfall late last year, but it wasn’t enough to help this period which is officially called the ‘peak water usage period’.
The impacts of not nearly enough rain mean water restrictions have kicked in, in some areas in the Tasman region, from the 1st of February.
“The Waimea catchment had its last best rainfall in December,” says Tasman District Council’s senior resource scientist, Joseph Thomas.
January and February are traditionally the hot, dry, and windy weather months when water use increases for individuals and commercially. In particular for things like irrigation on the Waimea Plains.
Joseph says that currently the soil moisture deficiency is high in the plains because for the last three to four weeks there’s been a lack of rain. A lack of the really good rain that is enough to wet through the soil. Joseph says the drizzling rain isn’t enough to soak into the type of soil in certain areas in the region.
November’s rainfall was double the average amount in the area, but the year’s total rainfall was well below average. Additionally, some of that rainfall was more focused on specific areas with the Waimea catchment not being as lucky as some.
The Waimea aquifers which sit under the Waimea Plains respond to rainfall but require sustained rain over a longer period to retain their storage levels. This means levels are likely to drop away again when the rain stops.
For now, the water restrictions for Richmond, Hope, Brightwater, Redwood Valley, and Wakefield that went into force on February 1st, apply to individuals, businesses, and public organisations.
Watering grass and lawns and filling up swimming pools are not permitted.
Topping up of a pool is okay, as is using a hand-held hose to water plants and veggie gardens and to wash buildings and cars.
There is a Tasman District’s Dry Weather Taskforce that exists to assess the water situation and from there decide on what restrictions need to be applied. They had their first meeting for the summer on Tuesday 26 January and will be holding meetings over the coming months.
TDC encourages everyone to always use water wisely.