Water and fire restrictions are expanding across the wider Manawatū as this year's dry weather continues.
The MetService is not expecting any rain in the region in the next five days and has no guarantee of when the next showers will arrive.
The fire risk the dry conditions have created was clear to see in the Bainesse area last week, while small towns are starting to face issues with their water supplies.
The Palmerston North City Council introduced a prohibited fire season yesterday until further notice.
Tararua District Council declared a prohibited fire season on Monday.
It is now illegal to light any fires in the Palmerston North or Tararua rural fire areas, or on adjoining conservation land, with the exception of gas-powered barbecues. All previously issued fire permits have been cancelled until further notice.
Manawatū, Horowhenua and Rangitīkei District Councils have declared a prohibited fire season to commence from midnight tonight.
Level one water restrictions have been introduced in Palmerston North today.
"We need to conserve our water by avoiding unnecessary outdoor water uses and any wastage," council water asset engineer Dora Luo, said. "The City water evening peak demand has reached historical highs. The water level in the Turitea Dam has been dropping faster than ever due to a constant high demand over the last couple of weeks."
The restrictions mean garden sprinklers and unattended water devices may only be used during the hours of 7pm and 9pm on certain days.
Houses with an even street number can use sprinklers and the like on even days and odd numbered houses on odd days.
Hand held hoses can be used at any time on the correct odd or even day.
"It is hoped introducing level 1 restrictions at this stage may reduce the need for more severe restrictions later in the season," Dora said.
In Tararua, water restrictions were extended on Monday with a total hosing ban introduced in Pahiatua and Woodville.
Water restrictions were also in place in the Tararua communities of Eketahuna, Akitio, Norsewood and Dannevirke.
"Due to dry conditions continuing to grip the district and river flows throughout the district depleting very quickly, water management is becoming increasingly urgent," a Tararua District Council spokesperson said.
A serious problem with Dannevirke’s water supply has also been identified.
Residents are being advised to boil their water until further notice, as the council have to draw water directly from the Tamaki River to supplement slow water flows from the impounded water supply.
MetService forecaster Lisa Murray said Palmerston North was unlikely to get any rain this week.
"Your next seven days are looking dry, fortunately, or unfortunately, depending how you look at it," she said.
Temperatures in Palmerston North would reach into the high 20s each day this week.
January had been drier than normal, but Murray said the long dry spell was not out of the ordinary.
"It's not particularly out of character at this time of year.
"There's a nice big high there that is really slow moving," Murray said.
The sunny spell was expected to stay until another system developed that could push it off the country.
Rangitīkei brought in a district-wide sprinkler ban, excluding Marton, on January 20.
There have been restrictions on the use of hoses and sprinklers in Foxton and Foxton Beach since late December.
Source: Manawatū Standard
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