Gisborne city in a water crisis

Gisborne city is in a water crisis due to a major break in the main trunk pipeline from the dams that supply the city with water.

The pipe break was identified late Monday afternoon and is understood to be because of a large landslide in the Mangapoike area.

Council water team leader Marcus Koll said emergency water restrictions need to be initiated as a result of the mains break from the Mangapoike Dams."We are still assessing the situation but need to get the message out for people to cut any none-essential water use, the immediate goal is to supply water for public health reasons, fire fighting and industry. Therefore the community's assistance on this issue will be greatly appreciated "

At the moment, there is around 200 m3/hr of potable water being supplied from the Te Arai bush catchment, with an additional 540 m3/hr from the Waipaoa Water Treatment Plant. "This is well short of our current demand requirements for this time of the year of 1100m3/hr. Important water stakeholders have been informed of the crisis and are implementing water restriction plans.

Mr Koll said the problem was not going to be able to be fixed in a hurry. It could take 2 weeks before the problem would be repaired, however engineers and contractors are working on solutions to the issue.

A complete hose ban is in force, it includes all non-essential water use like car washing, irrigation, filling swimming pools etc is banned.

"We also ask all other water users to conserve their water use as much as possible to avoid further water restrictions being imposed."

Updates will be posted on our website. The next media release will be at 4:00pm today

For tips on how to save water around your home

Photos of the landslide