A ban on sprinklers and a restricted fire season have come into force in the Rangitīkei district.
Rangitīkei District Council chief executive Ross McNeil said the district's water supply had been strained by a prolonged dry period combined with high water usage.
Mr McNeil said the use of soak hoses, fixed irrigation systems and sprinklers was banned, while hand-held hoses could be used at any time.
"The ban applies to the community supplies of Bulls, Ratana, Hunterville, Mangaweka and Taihape," he said.
It doesn't apply to Marton, however.
Mr McNeil said Rangitīkei's water was sourced from bores and rivers.
"As the weather becomes dry and river levels drop, the amount of water [the council is] allowed to take drops as well."
He said the council had been checking for and repairing any leaks on the network and urged residents to conserve as much water as they could.
As of midnight tonight, a restricted fire season will be in force in the Rangitīkei and Manawatū districts, the Palmerson North City Council area and Department of Conservation land.
The implementation of the restrictions for Manawatū and Palmerston North, follows the large grass fire near the settlement of Bainesse, about 20 kilometres east of Palmerston North, yesterday which has covered 150 hectares of farmland, threatened homes and damaged farm buildings and feed.
This means a permit will be needed to light a fire in the open air. No permits are required for lighting purpose-built barbecues.
Mr McNeil said fire permits would only be issued in the Rangitīkei for essential operations involving light fuels of short burn duration, such as crop stubble.
There are no water restrictions in the Manawatū or Palmerston North City districts.
The Wanganui District moved to a restricted fire season on January 16. There are no water restrictions in Wanganui, although sprinklers may only be used between 7pm and 9pm.
Source: Wanagnui Chronicle
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