Water restrictions continue as Waitaki flood recovery progresses

Published on 12 July 2026

Waitaki District Council is asking Ōamaru residents and businesses to keep conserving water while the district continues to recover from last week’s flood event. The Conserve Water Notice remains in place for everyone on the Ōamaru water supply, meaning water should be used for essential household and business needs only.

This means delaying non-essential water use such as washing vehicles, hosing down driveways, or undertaking water-intensive outdoor work until the notice is lifted.

Council Recovery Manager Elliot Ball said the notice is likely to remain in place well into the week, as dam recovery is slow and water production has been eased to allow the system to treat highly turbid water safely and effectively.

Boil Water and Conserve Water Notices also remain in place for the Lower Waitaki Water Supply. People in this area should continue to boil drinking water, water used for food preparation, brushing teeth and preparing infant formula, and should also limit water use to essential needs.

“I want to thank everyone for their patience and understanding, and for working with us to reduce water use so we can meet everyone’s essential needs,” Mr Ball said.

“Every litre saved helps support the recovery of the network and keeps pressure on the system manageable while our teams continue their work.”

“We know this is inconvenient, and we appreciate the community’s support. We are working hard to return services and roads to normal as quickly as possible, and we will keep people updated as the situation changes.”

Mr Ball said anyone still experiencing water issues should contact Council on 03 433 0300, press 1 for water services, and follow the prompts.

People are also encouraged to report any new issues they see, including water leaks, damage or hazards. Reports can be made through the Antenno app, which is free to download and sends location-based updates directly to your phone.

Roads around the district are continuing to be assessed, cleared and reopened. Some routes have scouring, surface damage or debris, so drivers are urged to take extra care, drive to the conditions and avoid unnecessary travel through affected areas. Before travelling, please check the latest Waitaki District road updates at Road work and conditions | Waitaki District Council.