The Palmerston North City Council have upgraded their water restrictions over the weekend, including implementing a total sprinkler ban in the city.
On Saturday, level two water restrictions came into force after a continuing heavy demand for water was putting a strain on the amount of water stored in the Turitea Dams.
The level at the high dam dropped to 2.78 metres below the top last Friday morning, with demand up to five million litres a day above the annual daily average.
The ongoing dry weather also had an effect on the dams.
"This is the third consecutive year that we have had to introduce water usage restrictions," city council water and waste services manager Rob Green said.
"Although there has been some rainfall in the City, there has been very little in the water catchment area for the last month."
Although 100mm of rain had been recorded in the city in February, less than 30mm fell in the Turitea catchment.
Green said the dam was lower than at the same time last year, when it was 1.57 metres down.
He said forecasting was not a precise science and there could be respite from the dry conditions.
"But I'd rather be wrong than delay restrictions and then look back in a couple of weeks and realise we should have done something."
Under level two water restrictions, Handheld hoses are permitted between 6pm and 8pm on alternate days. Houses with even street numbers can water on even dates and houses with odd street numbers can water on odd dates.
Fixed sprinklers and unattended hoses, including soak hoses, are prohibited at all times.
Source: Press Release - Palmerston North City Council and Manawatū Standard
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