Section 329 — Resource Management Act 1991: Water shortage direction

329 Water shortage direction (1) Where a regional council considers that at any time there is a serious temporary shortage of water in its region or any part of its region, the regional council may issue a direction for either or both of the following: (a) That the taking, use, damming, or diversion of water: (b) That the discharge of any contaminant into water,—

is to be apportioned, restricted, or suspended to the extent and in the manner set out in the direction. (2) A direction may relate to any specified water, to water in any specified area, or to water in any specified water body. (3) A direction may not last for more than 14 days but may be amended, revoked, or renewed by the regional council by a subsequent direction. (4) A direction comes into force on its issue and continues in force until it expires or is revoked. (5) A direction may be issued by any means the regional council thinks appropriate, but notice of the particulars of the direction shall be given to all persons required to apportion, restrict, or suspend— (a) The taking, use, damming, or diversion of water; or (b) The discharge of any contaminant into water,—

as far as they can be ascertained, as soon as practicable after its issue. (6) For the purpose of this section, notice may be given to a person by serving it on the person or by publishing the notice in one or more daily newspapers circulating in the area where the person takes, uses, dams, or diverts the water, or discharges a contaminant into water.