Southland's continuing hot and dry summer combined with a lack of rainfall has forced Environment Southland (ES) to move the province to a Status 2 water shortage response from today (18 Jan).

ES warns there is a potential that continued normal water use could start having a negative impact on the region's environmental health.  

ES integrated catchment management general manager Paul Hulse said the shift to Status 2 meant staff would be taking a more active approach to monitoring the water situation for the region.

ES's water shortage advisory team will be increasing assessments of water levels, soil moisture and groundwater states, and analysis of short and long-range weather forecasts, he said.

Monitoring results would be published and ES would be working alongside Southland's other territorial authorities and key user groups in an effort to conserve water. 

Southland District is currently under a sprinkler ban, while Gore District has level three water restrictions in place.

Current river conditions and the climate outlook indicate that a water shortage could occur over the summer-autumn period, Hulse said.

“There is no immediate concern for either of our two main water supplies, the Ōreti and Mataura rivers, predicted in the next couple of weeks. However, modelling based on previous long-term data indicates the Mataura River could reach consent cutoff levels within the next month. We are monitoring the situation closely and will keep stakeholders updated directly.”

ES uses a 4 stage model to describe Southland's water shortage status:

• 1 no water concerns
• 2 reducing water availability
• 3 Impending water shortage
• 4 Water shortage event

Southland's weather outlook remains dry with NIWA latest 3-month forecast projecting that the current La Nina conditions will produce a marine heatwave in New Zealand coastal waters. It predicts Southland temperatures will likely be above average while rainfall will be below normal, resulting in extended dry periods.

Further information on low water levels can be found here https://www.es.govt.nz/environment/water/low-water-levels