Rain welcomed but more needed to restore groundwater levels

Posted on 20 December 2007

Greater Wellington says steady rain on Tuesday and Wednesday has improved river flows enough to avert further water restrictions at this stage but groundwater levels are still very low.

Most of the Wellington region has received between 30-60mm of rain on Tuesday and Wednesday, with the north eastern Wairarapa hills receiving about 68mm, Masterton 50mm, Kaitoke 42mm and Wellington City 32mm.

The Council's Environmental Monitoring and Investigations manager Ted Taylor said the rain would not have a significant impact on groundwater levels which are near long-term minimums in some areas. River flows in most Wairarapa catchments were also still lower than normal for this time of year.

"Despite this week'srain, it remains for many areas the driest year for decades."

Mr Taylor said Greater Wellington's Featherston Alloa and Wainuiomata monitoring stations had received between only half and two-thirds of their average rainfall totals - close to their driest on record.

Water restrictions are placed on most resource consents issued for taking water from rivers and streams during low flow periods to preserve river and stream life. Restrictions are not imposed on water takes from groundwater bores unless they are close to rivers and streams and are identified to have some adverse effects on those rivers and streams.

Consents and compliance team leader Stephen Thawley said the Council would be reviewing water restrictions imposed earlier this month on water takes from the Waingawa River, Booths Creek, Otakura Stream, and the Upper and Lower Ruamahanga River. Further restrictions were unlikely in the near future.

However, Mr Taylor said the Council was still urging rural users to conserve water, particularly in catchments where water restrictions apply.