12 Apr 2010

River levels fall drop again in Far North

1:17 pm on 12 April 2010

River levels are falling again in the Far North and local authorities are warning residents to keep saving water.

Far North District Council says streams critical for its water supply systems, from Hokianga to Kaitaia, rose slightly with rain at Easter but the reprieve is over, and the need for water conservation is still urgent.

Kaitaia's sewage settlement ponds reached capacity last Friday and the council is now piping the treated effluent onto nearby paddocks, to avoid polluting the dwindling Awanui River.

Water restrictions may also come into force this week in Whangarei, where the Whau Valley dam is now just over 50% full, and falling.