Water is being trucked into the Seddon and rural Awatere as authorities work to maintain drinking water supplies following a major leak in a key water main this morning.
Marlborough District Council had been trucking water into the area since 8.30am to replenish storage tanks serving Seddon and rural Awatere.
Residents in both areas were urged to "conserve water immediately" after the leak occurred and were advised to boil their tap water as a precaution.
Council engineers had been working to pinpoint and repair the leak in the Awatere water main, which supplied Seddon and surrounding areas including Seaview, Grassmere and rural Awatere south of the river.
Earlier investigations indicated the problem may be associated with the section of the water main that crosses beneath the Awatere River, which could make the repair complex.
By 9am, the council said Awatere's water storage tanks were empty, while Seddon's was at "approximately 40% capacity".
'Supply remains constrained'
In an update this afternoon, Marlborough Waters establishment chief executive Richard Coningham said trucking water into the area was helping maintain supply and keep water available to the community.
"But the supply remains constrained, so we still need everyone to use as little water as possible," he said.
Conningham urged residents to restrict water use to essential drinking, cooking and hygiene needs and avoid activities such as watering gardens and washing vehicles.
"We need everyone connected to the affected supply to use as little water as possible. Please keep water use to essential drinking, cooking and hygiene needs only," he said earlier.
"Every bit of water people can save today will help us maintain the available supply while crews continue searching for the leak, and we bring in additional drinking water to the area."
The council said it would continue trucking water into the area as required and would closely monitor water storage levels.
Seddon residents were advised to boil tap water before using it for drinking, preparing food or beverages, brushing teeth or preparing infant formula while trucked water was being used.
Residents in rural Awatere must also continue boiling their water, Conningham said.
"Bring water to a rolling boil for at least one minute and allow it to cool naturally before use."
Both boil water notices would remain in place until further notice.
A tap at Seddon Memorial Hall would be also available for people from rural Awatere who needed to collect drinking water.
Residents should bring their own clean containers and take only what they need for essential drinking and household use.
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