Gisborne District Council says residents have taken notice of the plea to save water, after a landslip burst a pipeline on Monday night.
The city has a critical water shortage after a 70-metre-long slip on Monday night burst the pipe at the city's main reservoir.
Restrictions are being implemented - including a ban on the use of water for washing cars, watering gardens and filling swimming pools - and a total fire ban is in place to help protect water supplies needed by firefighters.
Mayor Meng Foon says water use dropped by almost one third on Wednesday and there was even a small increase in reservoir levels.
But he says Gisborne people cannot be complacent and must continue to conserve water to avoid mandatory restrictions.
Mr Foon says work is continuing day and night to get the supply reinstated and this should occur in six to eight days.
