An immediate level 5 total water ban is now in place across Thames, after a water main break and equipment failure depleted reservoir levels to below normal.
The Thames-Coromandel District Council announced the ban on Thursday.
“We have had to impose a total water ban in Thames as we are trying to recover from a water main break yesterday and in addition a equipment failure at the water treatment plant,” the council said.
“The combination of these events have lowered the reservoir levels to below normal levels.
“While the main has been repaired and the equipment replaced it will take us some time to recover plant flows and reservoir levels and as a result we are asking Residents to conserve water.
“To support this we have imposed the total water ban.”
Under the ban, hand-held hoses, unattended hoses, sprinklers and garden irrigation systems are not permitted at any time. This includes a ban on watering lawns and gardens, washing cars, boats, houses and decks, filling paddling pools and playing under sprinklers. Essential watering of plants, such as vegetable gardens using a hand-held watering can is permitted.
There is no word yet on how long the restriction will last.
DETAILS: For more information visit www.tcdc.govt.nz/waterrestrictions
