Third water pump a relief for Westport

A third pump is operating in Westport, bringing some relief to the West Coast town's depleted water supplies.

Buller District Council chief executive Gary Murphy said about 7mm of rain fell yesterday afternoon but made little difference.

"We are down to about one day's supply of water at the moment but with the three pumps we estimate they are collectively producing about 5000 cubic metres of water per day, which is keeping up with the daily consumption," he said.