Although water levels are dropping in rivers and streams across the region, and groundwater levels in the Heretaunga and Ruataniwha aquifers are well below normal, total irrigation bans are not on the horizon yet.
Last week, the Hawke's Bay Regional Council released its State of the Environment report for December that showed a high number of record monthly lows in the aquifers, and reported that low flow bans for irrigation have been enforced on higher take limits on most rivers.
Council compliance officer environmental Ian Lilburn said that despite the low flows, most irrigators were on the lowest ban level, which meant they could continue taking water for now.
For example on the Ngaruroro River at Fernhill, bans were in place for takes of 22,000 litres per second, 15,000l/s, and 5,000l/s, but were still allowed for the lower level of 2400l/s.
"The majority of irrigators have a ban level of 2400l/s, and we let them know through a daily automated message whether the river has gone below the ban level.