Raetihi Water Restrictions Finally Lifted

The long awaited arrival of more seasonal winter weather has allowed Ruapehu District Council (RDC) to finally lift water restrictions for Raetihi which have been in place since Christmas.

Raetihi draws its water from the Makotuku River and requires a minimum flow of 115 litres/second as measured at the SH49A Bridge for restrictions to be lifted.

When the flow drops below 115 litres/second water restrictions are automatically implemented.

RDC Environmental Assistant Julia Fincham said that average river flows for the Makotuku have remained largely below the minimum flow level of 115 litres/second during the five months since water restrictions were put in place on 29 December 2015.

“Following heavy rainfall over the previous week the average river flow levels for the Makotuku are now sitting at 1862 litres per second (National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA) recording Monday 23 May) giving Council the confidence to lift the water restrictions.”

“It is unusual for water restrictions to need to be in place this late in the year and hopefully it’s not a sign of things to come,” she said.

“In addition to forcing the implementation of water use restrictions the low flows we have had encourage the growth of naturally occurring bacteria and algae in warmer months which can affect the taste and odour of the water.”

“In an effort to provide greater transparency around issues affecting Raetihi’s water supply Council has been publishing graphs of water flows on the Makotuku River on ourFacebook page and website.”

“We have also been posting the river flow graphs for the Whanganui River which supplies water for Taumarunui and Matapuna townships.”

“This additional information has been really well received by the community.”

“With water restrictions now lifted Council will no longer be posting the river flow graphs until next summer.”

“Anyone still interested in getting this information can however still find it via a link on Council’s website under Water Services.”

Clive Manley
Chief Executive
Ruapehu District Council

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