Water Shortage Direction amendment (#3)

Surface water flows and ground water sources in Southland catchments are at such low levels that Southland Regional Council (trading as Environment Southland) considers that a serious temporary shortage of water exists across parts of the Southland region.

Consequently, the following direction in relation to the taking of water from surface water and ground water sources within Southland is issued, subject to the following conditions and exceptions:

1. all taking/use/damming/diversion of water from surface and ground water sources for irrigation, either authorised by consent or permitted activity rule (other than as provided for below), shall cease for the duration of this notice;
2. taking/use/damming/diversion of water from surface and ground water sources for irrigation, either authorised by a consent or permitted activity rule, can continue if the water is taken from:
   1. the Mataura River catchment;
   2. ground water where the take has been assessed as having a low or moderate hydrological connectivity to surface water in terms of Policy 29 of the Regional Water Plan for Southland or Appendix L.2 of the Proposed Southland Water and Land Plan; or
   3. groundwater from a confined aquifer, as identified in Appendix L.5.2 of the Proposed Southland Water and Land Plan.
3. water for reasonable household domestic needs and reasonable drinking needs of stock can continue to be taken during this time. This is to provide for public health and the welfare of stock.
4. water cannot be taken for non-essential household or domestic activities including, but not limited to, garden watering, filling of swimming pools, water blasting and washing of cars, vehicles, boats and machinery.

This Water Shortage Direction applies from 4 April 2022 and will continue for 9 days, until 11:59 pm on 13 April 2022.

This Water Shortage Direction is issued pursuant to Section 329 of the Resource Management Act 1991.

If you have any questions about this notice, please contact the Council on:

Phone: 0800 76 88 45

Email: service@es.govt.nz

Environment Southland may amend, revoke or renew this Water Shortage Direction (by subsequent direction) at any time. Should the low water levels across the region continue, it is likely that this direction will be renewed. Terms and conditions may change upon renewal.

R A Phillips

Chief Executive

4 April 2022