The Gore District Council will start pumping water from the Mataura River this afternoon to supplement the Mataura water supply.
A significant drawdown of water from the reservoir over the last few days has jeopardised the town’s water supply. Efforts to locate the cause have so far been unsuccessful.
The reservoir dropped to only 39 percent capacity overnight but had recovered to 43 percent capacity by this morning.
3 Waters Asset Manager said the river water will go through the town’s treatment plant and be mixed with water from the Pleura Dam and Waikana Stream to minimise any taste issues.
“However, we know from experience that river water does impact on taste.”
The Council will bring in water from outside the district to supply residents with drinking water.
A water tanker will be on site tomorrow outside the Mataura Service Centre, in McQueen Avenue. Residents are asked to use the hand sanitize provided before filling their containers.
“We would also ask people to only use the tanker to get water for drinking.”
Mr Bayliss said the additional water from the river should see the reservoir start recovering and hold its own.
Detection Services began its investigations this afternoon. It has specialist diagnostic equipment that will identify if there are any major leaks in the network.
“We should know more within 24 hours.
“If there’s no major leak, then extraordinary consumption may be the cause.”
Level 4 restrictions remain in place for Mataura. This means a total ban on unattended hoses, sprinklers, garden irrigation systems and handheld hoses. Car washing by handheld hose prohibited.