Dunedin City Council group manager of water and waste Laura McElhone said while supply was meeting demand in most areas, Waikouaiti and Karitane were affected the most.
‘‘Water demand has risen to the point in the Waikouaiti-Karitane area that we are struggling to maintain adequate storage in the reservoir for firefighting purposes,'' she said.
‘‘To help us maintain a reliable service, and be able to protect you and your property in the event of a fire, it would be appreciated if people in that area could voluntarily reduce their water use.''
The areas are serviced by the Waikouaiti water treatment plant, which is supplied from the Waikouaiti River.
The water is stored in a reservoir at the plant and at the Kiatoa Reservoir in Ramrock Rd.
There had been a small water main break at the Waikouaiti plant recently, Dr McElhone said.
However, the main reasons the supply was being stretched were because of limited back-up supplies for the reservoir and because the area was a popular summer destination.
‘‘It is an area a lot of people go to over the holidays,'' Dr McElhone said. ‘‘This is a time of year when we do expect it.''
The conservation measures were a precaution.‘‘Hopefully, it will only be a few days and then we get some decent rain.
‘‘Water is stored in the reservoir but it is just holding steady.''
Otago Rural Fire Authority principal rural fire officer Stephanie Rotarangi said the fire risk was increasing by the day and there was little relief in the long-range forecast.
‘‘At the risk of stating the obvious, we need quick access to water to fight fires,'' Dr Rotarangi said.
People could conserve water by limiting sprinkler and hose pipe use, watering gardens in the early morning or evening so plants got the most benefit and not leaving taps running, Dr McElhone said.
