"The new Waiāri water supply scheme, due to be completed late 2022, will supplement existing supplies, provide additional resilience in extended periods of drought and cater for future growth."
The Bay of Plenty Regional Council has suggested there may be less rain this winter, the city council said, which will directly affect groundwater, river flow and soil moisture across the region.
Burton emphasised similar problems were being experienced throughout New Zealand.
"Even though the effects of a changing climate show up differently for various regions, it requires us all to look at how water is managed in a new light.
"We are working hard to find alternative solutions for sourcing and supplementing our water, however none of these will be quick fixes."
The city council continues to work closely with the regional council to assess the effect of drought conditions and water levels in the region on source water supplies.