Ōamaru to run out of water unless there is a drastic conservation effort

November 30, 2018

The town could run out of water completely in a day or two.

Ōamaru is set to run out water in the coming days unless a drastic conservation effort is undertaken by residents.

Full water restrictions are in place for the North Otago town and the surrounding areas, with a spokesperson for the Waitaki council saying the town was due to run out of treated water within a day or two.

More water was used by residents yesterday than the day before when a serious reduction of usage over a four-day period was required.

The restrictions mean water can only be used in essential cases, with the council saying no clothes washing, car cleaning or dishwasher use and only faeces should be flushed down the toilet.

These restrictions affect Ōamaru down to Moeraki.

The council said it will be forced to deliver untreated turbid water, that will need to be boiled to drink, in the event that the area runs out treated water.

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It will also mean schools and businesses will have to close.

Recent flooding has muddied the main water supply.

Residents in nearby Timaru were also asked to conserve water earlier this week after heavy rain stirred up mud in the Pareora River, meaning the South Canterbury town had to rely on a backup reservoir.

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