The Gore District Council’s 3 Waters team has not found the cause of a major loss of water from Mataura’s network despite a thorough survey of the town today.
The Council will tomorrow bring in Leak Detection Services to assist with the search. It has the technical expertise and equipment to help identify if there is a leak in the network.
All monitoring equipment shows there is enough water going into the treatment plant from the Pleura Dam.
The Council is investigating all possibilities for the cause of the water loss, including a significant leak or extraordinary consumption given the unprecedented hot weather.
Commercial water tankers were instructed this morning (Monday 15 January) not to take water from the Mataura supply.
Commercial water tankers have had a consent to access water from the Mataura for a number of years. This activity had no impact on reservoir levels at the town prior to this weekend.
Level 4 water restrictions remain in place for the town. This means a total ban on unattended hoses, sprinklers, garden irrigation systems and handheld hoses. Car washing by handheld hose prohibited.
The Council will be closely monitoring the impact Level 4 water restrictions and the ban on commercial water tankers has on consumption levels.
The Council has implemented pressure demand management measures to reduce water consumption therefore residents are likely to notice a drop in pressure. However, all residents should continue to receive water, if there is a total loss in water supply please contact us, phone 2090330
The reservoir had dropped to 50% by this afternoon. Statistics re: Mataura water storage and use are:
- Total storage in the reservoir is 1800 m3
- The number of connections in Mataura are 777
- Average daily demand is 1100 m3/day
- Peak demand over the weekend was 1679 m3/day