MDC Renwick Water Level Updates
Renwick Water Supply Graphs as of 26th February 2021.
While the real aquifer level continues to decline we have reduced the output from the bores by throttling the pump output. This is to reduce the drawdown effect when the pump are running, it has the effect of increasing the water level around the pumps. This prevents the pumps from drawing in air if the water level were to get too close to the top of the pump.
The network is still able to meet current demand at these reduced flow rates.
While the real aquifer level continues to decline we have reduced the output from the bores by throttling the pump output. This is to reduce the drawdown effect when the pump are running, it has the effect of increasing the water level around the pumps. This prevents the pumps from drawing in air if the water level were to get too close to the top of the pump.
The network is still able to meet current demand at these reduced flow rates.
Please find the latest Renwick water supply graphs below, these are current as of the 16th February 2021.
There was a healthy rise in the river flows early last week. This helped put some water back in the aquifer. However the overnight rain has been all "coastal" and is unlikely to affect river flows and therefore won't have an impact to aquifer levels.
The community needs to continue to be vigilant and careful with their water use as get close to needing to restrict the volume of water we extract from the Renwick bores. This will occur if the aquifer level gets below the 1.0 m level (shown by the horizontal purple line of the graph).
There was a healthy rise in the river flows early last week. This helped put some water back in the aquifer. However the overnight rain has been all "coastal" and is unlikely to affect river flows and therefore won't have an impact to aquifer levels.
The community needs to continue to be vigilant and careful with their water use as get close to needing to restrict the volume of water we extract from the Renwick bores. This will occur if the aquifer level gets below the 1.0 m level (shown by the horizontal purple line of the graph).
Summer 2020-21 Water Updates are now coming out from the Marlborough District Council for Renwick and we will be posting these here from time to time. Please be water conscious as we head into summer. These are the updates from the 18th January.
Below are the updates for11 January 2021 and 22 November 2020.
Water Graph Levels at 30 April 2020
The aquifer supplying water to Renwick has recovered over the last few weeks due to rainfall in the upper Wairau River catchment creating good river flows.
The aquifer supplying water to Renwick has recovered over the last few weeks due to rainfall in the upper Wairau River catchment creating good river flows.
Water Graph Levels at 25 March 2020
Water supply continues to meet demand as residents manage water use through voluntary reductions. The aquifer level is steady but a decent rainfall would help considerably.
We would also like to please remind residents that during this period of self-isolation to still continue to conserve water wherever possible. Demand is likely to increase over the next few weeks as everyone sees out the lockdown at home, please be mindful of this.
Water supply continues to meet demand as residents manage water use through voluntary reductions. The aquifer level is steady but a decent rainfall would help considerably.
We would also like to please remind residents that during this period of self-isolation to still continue to conserve water wherever possible. Demand is likely to increase over the next few weeks as everyone sees out the lockdown at home, please be mindful of this.
Water Level Graphs at February 3rd 2020
Water Level Graphs - 2/12/2019
Media Statement from Marlborough District Council - 1 November 2019
Water conservation call for Renwick for next two weeks
The High Street water mains upgrade is continuing over the next two weeks in Renwick and means most residents may experience lower water pressure than normal.
Operations and Maintenance Engineer Stephen Rooney says the Council is bringing the new bulk water main along High Street into service over the next fortnight.
“The new main is being installed and whilst we connect it up we have to re-direct water in a different direction around the town.”
“Residents are encouraged to conserve water during this time and be patient whilst this work is completed.”
Stephen says Marlborough Anniversary weekend temperatures are forecast to reach 31C on Sunday and 30C on Monday, which is likely to encourage water demand.
“If people can limit their use of water for non-essential purposes such as washing the car or filling the pool, and keep garden irrigation to a minimum, that will make a difference.”
“Once demand goes over 40 litres per second, everyone will notice a reduction in pressure. This will only happen if there is high demand due to garden irrigation.”
Water conservation call for Renwick for next two weeks
The High Street water mains upgrade is continuing over the next two weeks in Renwick and means most residents may experience lower water pressure than normal.
Operations and Maintenance Engineer Stephen Rooney says the Council is bringing the new bulk water main along High Street into service over the next fortnight.
“The new main is being installed and whilst we connect it up we have to re-direct water in a different direction around the town.”
“Residents are encouraged to conserve water during this time and be patient whilst this work is completed.”
Stephen says Marlborough Anniversary weekend temperatures are forecast to reach 31C on Sunday and 30C on Monday, which is likely to encourage water demand.
“If people can limit their use of water for non-essential purposes such as washing the car or filling the pool, and keep garden irrigation to a minimum, that will make a difference.”
“Once demand goes over 40 litres per second, everyone will notice a reduction in pressure. This will only happen if there is high demand due to garden irrigation.”
Renwick Water Shutdown
The Marlborough District Council wishes to advise residents and businesses served by the Renwick Water Supply that the water supply for all of Renwick will be shut down on:
Thursday 4 April 2019 from 10.00pm to 5.00am on Friday 5 April 2019
Water users are advised to store water prior to the shutdown for use during the period when water is not available.
Should circumstances be unsuitable these shutdowns will be postponed one working day to Sunday 7 April 2019, from 10.00pm to 5.00am on Monday 8 April 2019.
This shutdown will enable connection of temporary water storage tanks at the water treatment plant site, which are required to enable the new permanent reservoir to be constructed.
When water is restored all efforts to remove air from the system will be taken. Customers may find that they have to bleed air from their property pipework. Running a couple of taps slowly for 2 to 3 minutes should remove residual air.
Council apologises for any inconvenience that this water shutdown may cause and advises that the supply may be resumed at any time within these hours without further notice.
For enquiries please phone Mark Power at Marlborough District Council on Ph: 03 520 7400.
Thursday 4 April 2019 from 10.00pm to 5.00am on Friday 5 April 2019
Water users are advised to store water prior to the shutdown for use during the period when water is not available.
Should circumstances be unsuitable these shutdowns will be postponed one working day to Sunday 7 April 2019, from 10.00pm to 5.00am on Monday 8 April 2019.
This shutdown will enable connection of temporary water storage tanks at the water treatment plant site, which are required to enable the new permanent reservoir to be constructed.
When water is restored all efforts to remove air from the system will be taken. Customers may find that they have to bleed air from their property pipework. Running a couple of taps slowly for 2 to 3 minutes should remove residual air.
Council apologises for any inconvenience that this water shutdown may cause and advises that the supply may be resumed at any time within these hours without further notice.
For enquiries please phone Mark Power at Marlborough District Council on Ph: 03 520 7400.
WELL DONE RENWICK RESIDENTS
As a result of recent rainfall and higher river flows the aquifer at the Renwick bore field has improved. However river flows have already fallen back and without any rain forecast for the next ten days aquifer levels may begin to recede again.
We have been able to go back to operating pumps at their full capacity. While the network has more capacity and the aquifer level is higher residents are reminded this can change. So before irrigating check the Council web site for information on the state of the aquifer, the water supply and information about voluntary restrictions.
Throughout this summer Renwick residents have again been conservative with the use of water used for irrigation of gardens and lawns. This has shown that voluntary water restrictions do work. Thank you and well done Renwick.
Stephen Rooney
Operations and Maintenance Engineer
Posted 19 March 2019
We have been able to go back to operating pumps at their full capacity. While the network has more capacity and the aquifer level is higher residents are reminded this can change. So before irrigating check the Council web site for information on the state of the aquifer, the water supply and information about voluntary restrictions.
Throughout this summer Renwick residents have again been conservative with the use of water used for irrigation of gardens and lawns. This has shown that voluntary water restrictions do work. Thank you and well done Renwick.
Stephen Rooney
Operations and Maintenance Engineer
Posted 19 March 2019
The rainfall late last week and the subsequent increased flows in the Wairau River and Gibsons Creek has seen a rise in the aquifer level at the Renwick bore field. Since Friday it has risen 700 mm. As a consequence we have been able to increase the output from the bores from 40 l/s back to 50 l/s. While this isn’t back to the maximum output of 60 l/s it is a big improvement. The river has already fallen back to the same flows as in the week preceding the rain so expect the aquifer to drop back also, if there isn’t more rain. The weather forecast for the remainder of the week is showing rainfall in the upper reaches of the Wairau River catchment. If this occurs as forecast there will be increases to river flows and subsequent continued increases in aquifer levels.
Renwick residents are encouraged to continue the good work with reductions in water use for irrigation for the next week at least until the impact of the weather as predicted is known.
Stephen Rooney
Operations and Maintenance Engineer
Posted March 12
The water levels at the Renwick bore field continues to drop. We have now adjusted the flow from pumps on three occasions, twice in Feb and again yesterday. This can been seen in the graph where the aquifer level has risen a little on Feb 7 and 14 then again yesterday after these adjustments. The output is now down from 60 litres per second to 40 litres per second. This latest reduction should be sustainable for 5 to 10 days without rainfall. Thereafter we are likely to have to turn one of the three pumps off. This will leave a capacity of 36 litres per second to fill the reservoir.
If this occurs demand will have to be capped at a maximum of 40 litres per second through the period 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm. At other times it will have to be less than 35 litres per second. These are reductions of 33 % and 40 % of the demand before voluntary restrictions were advertised.
Generally these reductions are being met, although as can be seen in the reservoir level vs demand graph this was exceeded on Monday and Tuesday night this week. This higher than desirable demand causes the reservoir level to drop to undesirable levels.
If the community keeps up their great efforts in reduction of the irrigation demand it will be unnecessary to have stricter restrictions. Keep up the good work. Hopefully we will receive some rainfall in the next few days.
Posted 7 March 2019
Stephen Rooney
Operations and Maintenance Engineer
Please note that during the Water Shutdown on Sunday March 3 for High St and Nelson Place other areas of Renwick will experience lower water pressure.
Posted 2 March 2019
Posted 26 February 2019
Posted 26 February 2019
The rainfall at the weekend was welcome relief from the dry weather. However it won’t be enough to have much of an impact to river flows and the aquifer. As of this morning the river flow has gone from 5.0 m3/s pre-rain to 7.5 m3/s at 7:00 am. River flows need to be in excess of 50 m3/s to have a real impact to the aquifer levels. Renwick residents need to continue the good work limiting the use of water for irrigation as much as possible.
Stephen Rooney
Operations and Maintenance Engineer
The rainfall at the weekend was welcome relief from the dry weather. However it won’t be enough to have much of an impact to river flows and the aquifer. As of this morning the river flow has gone from 5.0 m3/s pre-rain to 7.5 m3/s at 7:00 am. River flows need to be in excess of 50 m3/s to have a real impact to the aquifer levels. Renwick residents need to continue the good work limiting the use of water for irrigation as much as possible.
Stephen Rooney
Operations and Maintenance Engineer
Posted 19 February 2019
The reduction to date has reduced the flow into the reservoirs from 60 l/s down to 46 l/s. This is a reduction of 24%. Today’s change will take that to 30%.
Residents have made significant water savings in the last 10 days. There has been a reduction in peak demand of 25%. This is allowing the reduced volume of water available from the pumps to continue to meet demand and provide sufficient quantities of water for firefighting. As the aquifer continues to fall and there are further cutbacks at the pumps this will need to continue and for there to be some additional savings, particularly on hot evenings.
The weather forecast has some rain predicted for the end of the week. This will alleviate the situation a little for a short while but more will be needed to bring the aquifer back to a good operational level.
Stephen Rooney
Operations and Maintenance Engineer
The reduction to date has reduced the flow into the reservoirs from 60 l/s down to 46 l/s. This is a reduction of 24%. Today’s change will take that to 30%.
Residents have made significant water savings in the last 10 days. There has been a reduction in peak demand of 25%. This is allowing the reduced volume of water available from the pumps to continue to meet demand and provide sufficient quantities of water for firefighting. As the aquifer continues to fall and there are further cutbacks at the pumps this will need to continue and for there to be some additional savings, particularly on hot evenings.
The weather forecast has some rain predicted for the end of the week. This will alleviate the situation a little for a short while but more will be needed to bring the aquifer back to a good operational level.
Stephen Rooney
Operations and Maintenance Engineer