Hamilton faces early water restrictions

Water restrictions are in place in Hamilton, and there is surprise it's happened so early in the season.

Sprinkler and irrigation systems can only be used between 6am and 8am and 6pm and 8pm each day.

Waikato Federated Farmers president James Houghton says the dry conditions are concerning farmers.

"It is an indication of how little rain has fallen around Hamilton.

"A lot of farmers are quite concerned that this has happened so early."

James Houghton says hopefully this is the dry patch for the summer, and there's a bit of rain on the way in the next couple of months.