In spite of heavy rain Thursday and with more expected today, the downpours are not lifting water restrictions in the Thames Coromandel District.

The bad weather has seen many holiday makers leave the Coromandel and return home, but there are still lots of people around, and because of the added numbers in the townships, demand is still relatively high.

'The rain we've already had, plus the bad weather forecast for later today, makes it more challenging to produce drinking water,” says council communications manager Laurna White.

'The additional dirt and sediments in the streams mean the treatment plants have to work harder to produce water, often at lower volumes. Combined with the numbers of people still around; this can reduce the volume of treated water stored in our reservoirs, putting our supplies under pressure.”

Pauanui is one township where demand is remaining high, and the council needs customers to do what they can to reduce water use, especially while the bad weather forecast moves through, says Laurna.

'So please conserve water where possible due to the current high demand. It shouldn't be too many more days before we can start easing water restrictions, but at this stage they will remain at the current levels.”

Pauanui - Full water restrictions which means a sprinkler, irrigation and hose ban.

Matarangi – Full water restrictions including sprinkler, irrigation and hose ban.

Tairua - An irrigation and sprinkler ban with ‘odds and evens' hose ban. If your address is an even number you can use your hose on even numbered days, and vice versa for odd numbered houses.

Coromandel Town - Full water restrictions including sprinkler, irrigation and hose ban

Whangamata - Moves to an irrigation and sprinkler ban with odds and evens hose ban. If your address is an even number you can use your hose on even numbered days, and vice versa for odd numbered houses. We have also had some customers telling us they are experiencing yellowish water in some households. That is because one of the bores has more iron oxide. It's not a health issue and our water team are rechecking the filter system.

Whitianga - Current sprinkler and irrigation ban in remains in place.

Thames Valley (including Hikutaia, Omaha, Puriri and Matatoki) - Due to an increase in usage; water restrictions are being introduced effective immediately. This means that there is a sprinkler and irrigation ban in place. A reminder to residents in these communities that there is a permanent irrigation ban in place all year round.

The Thames Coromandel District Council staff are checking water use in the nine urban and two rural water supply schemes regularly and reviewing water restrictions daily.

Any changes are posted on the TCDC website, email newsletters and Facebook page.

Please report water wastage and water leaks to Customer Service on 07 868 0200.

Residents and visitors are asked to comply with the water restrictions for the good of the community.

Top 5 smart water conservation tips

1. Wait until you can do full loads before you wash dishes or use the washing machine.
2. Don't run the water when brushing your teeth.
3. For cool drinking water, fill a jug and keep it in the fridge. Running water to cool it down can waste 10 litres a minute.
4. For lawns, apply the ‘step test' – if grass springs back after you walk on it, it doesn't need watering.
5. If your toilet has a dual flush button, use the half flush.