Residents and visitors in the district are being urged to reduce their water usage as hot, dry weather and high demand are putting pressure on the region's water supply.

Restrictions may be needed as early as next week if the situation doesn't improve, Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) infrastructure operations manager Simon Mason said.

Wānaka, Hāwea and Luggate are among the areas where water is being used faster than it can be produced during peak periods.

“In the event that the network continues to come under strain, temporary restrictions are likely to be required for properties connected to council’s potable water supply, helping to safeguard water supplies for the event of an emergency like a wildfire,” Simon said.

“We’ll continue monitoring the situation but are now asking our communities to proactively make a few simple changes to reduce water use and help us to keep it flowing this summer.”

The biggest water saving efforts at home can be made when watering lawns or gardens, by minimising the use of sprinklers or irrigation generally, and only watering late at night to avoid the worst of the day’s heat and the busy morning and evening periods when water demand is at its highest.

Other effective tips include saving up to 20 litres of water for every minute cut from time spent in the shower, and the simple act of turning off the tap while brushing teeth or shaving to save another 10 litres for every minute.

Another important step is to fix water leaks around the home and to notify council of any leaks on public land, helping to stop water that’s been treated, stored, and then piped across town ending up in the gutter and heading down a storm drain and straight back to the lake or river.

“These small steps can help us avoid restrictions,” Simon said.

The long-range forecast suggested more hot and dry conditions to come for the district despite a few sporadic showers forecast over the next seven days, he said, and this is likely to lead to more water being used to keep gardens growing and lawns green, and the growing likelihood of restrictions being required.

How the different water restriction levels work:

• Water alert level 0: No water restrictions, but please use water wisely at all times.
• Water alert level 1: Hand-held hosing kept to a minimum at any time. Sprinklers only from midnight to 6.00am.
• Water alert level 2: Hand-held hosing kept to a minimum at any time. No sprinklers at any time, and no contractor water takes.
• Water alert level 3: No use of outside water systems, no sprinklers or hand-held hoses at any time, and no contractor water takes.

Residents and visitors can check out a range of tips and tricks to play their part and help save water at home here.

PHOTO: Supplied