A surge of wet weather in the Eastern Bay over the past few days has helped to increase water levels in the Whakatane District.

A spokesperson for the Whakatane District Council says the Whakatane River flow rate has increased to 32 cubic metres per second this morning.

'This is likely to increase further with heavy rain predicted from this afternoon through to Friday morning.

'That flow is well above the level where salt water intrusion affects processing at the Whakatane treatment plant, even with the king tides we will be experiencing.”

The increase in water levels comes after a stage two water restriction warning was enforced late last week.

'Falling river flows mean salt-water intrusion on high tides is now limiting the volume of water the Whakatāne treatment plant can process,” council said at the time.

As a result restrictions were placed on hoses and sprinklers, only to be used on alternate days.

'At the moment water storage levels for Whakatane and Ohope are comfortable, with yesterday's rain also meaning water usage for garden watering is unnecessary, for a few days at least.

'The current restrictions on hose and sprinkler use will remain in place in the meantime, but will be reviewed once the short to medium-term usage and storage situation becomes clearer.”