Environment Southland (ES) have announced that Southland’s current Water Shortage Direction will remain in place until at least Monday, 11 April.

The announcement comes after Minister of Agriculture Damien O’Connor and Associate Minister of Agriculture Meka Whaitiri visited ES today for an update on the water shortage situation.

Rain over the past to days has provided some relief for Southland’s rivers and aquifers, but many remain at concerningly low levels.

An average 23mm fell across Southland, with the most (73.5mm) falling at Pourakino in the Longwoods, while the least (9.5mm) fell in Wendon Valley at Waikaka.*

CLICK HERE to check the rainfall in your area.

Environment Southland chief executive Rob Phillips said it was still too early to determine the full impacts of the recent rainfall.

“We need to take time to confirm the impact the recent rain has had and secure a healthy long-term position for our rivers and aquifers.”

Keeping the Direction in place also gives Environment Southland the ability to assess the timing and intensity of an incoming weather system predicted for late Tuesday or early Wednesday next week.

Weather models for the next month are generally predicting ongoing lower than normal rainfall.

“Maintaining community water supplies is critical, particularly significant is the Ōreti River catchment which is the source of water for Invercargill and a number of major industries,” says Phillips.

“The long-term effects of this drought are likely to be felt by many farmers over the winter, and into spring. We continue to work with industry groups and others to find ways of supporting Southland farmers.”

The Water Shortage Direction currently allows for irrigation in the whole of the Mataura catchment, and allows for irrigation from the less connected and confined aquifers in the region. 

The Direction does not relate to irrigation from a storage pond or dam, or the spreading of effluent.

*Environmental data from Environment Southland. 6-8 April 2022.