Conserve Water Notice on Oamaru Water Supply
Published on 09 July 2026
10am, 9 July 2026
Conserve Water Notice on Oamaru Water Supply
Waitaki District Council is asking all customers on the Oamaru Water Supply to conserve water following this week's significant storm event. This includes residents and businesses in Oamaru, Kakanui, Hampden and Moeraki, including those who receive their water via storage tanks. Heavy rainfall has affected the quality of the source water supplying Oamaru, with increased turbidity (cloudiness) reducing the amount of water that can be treated while conditions remain elevated. To help maintain a reliable water supply, a Conserve Water Notice has been issued for the Oamaru water supply. Conserving water now will help ensure there is enough treated water available for everyone while treatment processes continue to operate under challenging conditions.
Residents and businesses are asked to:
• Avoid washing cars, boats and other vehicles.
• Avoid watering lawns and gardens. If vegetables need watering, use a hand-held hose only.
• Postpone filling or topping up swimming pools.
• Check taps for leaks and ensure they are turned off properly.
• Only run washing machines and dishwashers with full loads.
• Turn off the tap while brushing your teeth or shaving.
• Minimise non-essential water use wherever possible.
Council will continue monitoring water quality and treatment capacity and will provide an update as soon as the notice can be lifted. Lower Waitaki Water Supply update: The Boil Water Notice and Conserve Water Notice for the Lower Waitaki Water Supply remain in place and residents are asked to continue following both notices. High levels of turbidity in the source water for Local Waitaki have meant the treatment plant has been unable to produce water for the past three days. As a result, many properties with the recommended three days' water storage may now be running low. Council is restarting the pumps to refill reservoirs as water quality allows. Residents should be aware that the water may appear dirtier than usual while the system recovers. This is expected and is being closely monitored. Conserve Water Notices also remain in place for the Awamoko and Tokarahi water supplies. Council is asking all affected consumers to use water carefully while reservoirs are replenished and treatment processes return to normal. Updates will be provided as conditions improve.
Media enquiries:
Public Information Management
Phone: 027 213 0987
ENDS