First, their houses fell apart. Now, Christchurch residents trying to save their gardens face a total ban on outdoor watering over summer.
Christchurch City Council is warning that recent high temperatures and water leaks following Friday's large quakes have pushed water consumption levels dangerously close to triggering an outdoor watering ban.
Council city water and waste manager Mark Christison says the city's water supply network had been running smoothly, because of residents' compliance with watering restrictions over the last three months, as well as wet weather.
However, the water system is now feeling the strain from warm weather and leakage, he says.
"The few hot days that we had in early December... meant water consumption significantly increased which is a real worry. The public needs to be aware that total bans are probable."
There is a ban on unattended hoses, sprinklers and garden irrigation systems, and outdoor water use on Mondays.
The council has repaired the majority of water main breaks and is continuing to monitor water quality after two jolts on Friday, measuring 5.8 and 6.0, cut power, phone lines and water supplies to some parts of the city, and triggered liquefaction and landslips.
By Wednesday morning, the Earthquake Commission (EQC) had received 2210 claims for the December 23 quakes, a spokesman told NZ Newswire.
Some roads throughout the city remain closed and many roads in the eastern suburbs are still affected by leftover liquefaction and temporary repairs.
The Central Art Gallery was also closed and the council's Civic Offices, which only reopened last month following February's devastating quake, would stay closed until assessments were completed.
Civil Defence Minister Chris Tremain visited Christchurch on Tuesday to assist with the clean-up effort, and thanked the Student Volunteer Army for again mobilising hundreds of volunteers to help.
"Talking to home owners in Christchurch yesterday, many said that the spirited volunteers provided them the psychological lift needed to get on with their lives," Mr Tremain says.
NZN