Weekend Weather 11th January/Gisborne's Water Crisis.

[JennyLeez]

If you live in Southland and Otago you might swear the weather is currently from the second half of the year.  If you live along western New Zealand it often feels like late spring rather than mid-summer.  If you're in northern and north eastern New Zealand you may be desperate for rain.

Summer 2013/14 is shaping up to be one of massive regional differences with some people wanting to know 'when summer will start' compared to those desperately asking about 'when rain will fall, we only have 3 days of water left'.

"We are still seeing a strong westerly flow across the country and this means east to north east areas will continue to remain dry while southern and western areas will have more changable weather" says head weather analyst Philip Duncan.

Mr Duncan says the weather around coastal parts of Southland and Otago has been miserable lately for many with frequent rain or showers, often heavy, along with cold winds.  Dunedin has a high of 15 degrees today, which warms up to 17 for the following two days however by Sunday it drops back to 14 and then slips further to a high of just 13 degrees with showers on Monday.

"However we do see warmer weather later next week for parts of Otago and Southland - we're hoping Tuesday will see a more positive summer forecast but another cooler change may briefly brush the south by next Friday".

And while this nationwide westerly flow is driving in lower temperatures to western areas, including Auckland where highs have mostly been in the low 20s for the past month, it's helping make for perfect summer weather in many eastern areas.

But perfect for campers doesn't mean perfect for farmers.

As we expected by mid January some farmers need rain - especially around Gisborne, East Cape and some parts of Northland and Hawkes Bay.  If you desperately need rain and are in another region please post a comment below and let us know!

Weather for most North Island places should improve over the next day or two, but another burst of gales is possible for Wellington this Sunday or Monday.  This windy changeable pattern hasn't stopped since it started back in September.

Meanwhile Canterbury seems to be in the not too hot not too cold zone between Wellington and Dunedin.  Christchurch will see highs in the low to mid 20s most days with mainly dry weather thanks to the wind flow.

Weather Watch.

Gisborne, Mahia and Wairoa.

Extremely dry after very little rain in December (40mm) and a dry hot January so far with temps in the late 20's and early 30's. The farmers, orchards and water tanks badly need rain.
I have just read an article from Metservice stating the east coast is the place to be as if this weather is great. It is not. It is too hot and very draining. Meanwhile Gisborne has a broken water pipe and fast running out of water all together. Gisborne is definitely not the place to be right now. I will post this underneath from  the Gisborne Herald.


Gisborne water crisis: Residents ready for the worst.
Plans are in place for the worst-case scenario as Gisborne enters day three of its water crisis.

The main water pipe between the Mangapoike Dam and the Waingake Water Treatment Plant was severed by a 70-metre landslide on Monday.

The council immediately imposed water restrictions to get the city through the crisis as it faces hot summer days, dry gardens and the processing season poised to start.

Mayor Meng Foon says he is pleased Gisborne people have heeded the ``save water now'' message and reduced water use by almost a third yesterday.

"There was even a small increase in the storage in our reservoirs. I would like to send a big thank you to all those who have supported the call to use less water,'' he said.

Water use was down to 15,653m3 yesterday, from 25,000m3 on Monday.

"Our water consumption needs to come down further to 14,000m3 each day to avoid further restrictions.''

The situation is still critical but there is some good news after excavation work revealed the pipe can be temporarily fixed in six to eight days, instead of the previously estimated two-week time span.

Contractor Fulton Hogan is bringing in all available sub-contractors to work on the big welding job ahead.

However, until the pipe is fixed people need to take water conservation seriously, says acting Engineering and Works manager Dave Hadfield.

"It is a reality that people could turn their tap on and no water will come out.''

Gisborne has a standby treatment plant at Matawhero which treats water from the Waipaoa River. It is being topped up by water from the Te Arai stream.

With careful use this should ensure the city has enough water for essential use only, says GDC deputy chief executive Peter Higgs.

"If demand for water is not drastically reduced we will have to have periods of rolling water stoppages - times when you will turn on the tap and there will be no water.

"The council will not allow the city to completely run dry.''

Gisborne Hospital is ready if the taps do run dry.

Tairwahiti District Health acting chief executive Lynsey Bartlett says the hospital's reservoir holds around 1300 cubic metres - enough to supply the hospital for five days.

TDH is asking staff to reduce water use but this will not affect patient care, she says.

Aside from the laundry, the biggest water users at the hospital are the satellite dialysis unit, where up to 18 patients come for kidney dialysis each week, the neonatal unit which takes care of vulnerable new babies, and the theatre equipment sterilisation plant.

The council and about 20 stakeholders have prepared an emergency plan for rolling water stoppages.

There is now a total fire ban in Gisborne city as a precaution, and the Olympic Pool is closing two hours early to help save water.

The council is asking people to report any person or business using sprinklers or hoses to the council.

At least one business in town found out people are on the alert when it accidentally left its automatically-timed sprinkler system on and it started up around 6pm yesterday.

Pictures of it appeared on social media shortly afterwards and the business was alerted and turned it off.

People can still use bore water on their lawns and gardens. If you have a bore and want to avoid getting hassled, signs are available from the council.

As part of a continuing public education programme, signs were erected around the city yesterday advising residents to save water now.

Mr Hadfield is in contact with the city's top 20 industrial water users. All have water shortage contingency plans, which they are being asked to action immediately.
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