Drought has led to dozens of wells drying up in Canterbury, leaving many households without water.
Scientists say in some areas, groundwater levels are the lowest on record.
The well has run dry at Waimakariri resident Kelly Taylor's property. Contractors told Ms Taylor the family's water supply dropped by several metres in the past few months.
"So there's not enough water," she says.
The Taylors aren't alone.
McMillan Drilling have been flat-out boring wells across the district and say current ground water levels are the lowest they've seen in 30 to 40 years.
"We've had a lot of wells that started to dry up and people are unable to get water, so we've tried to make a focus on domestic wells to make sure people get water first and foremost," says general manager Grand Restall.
Environment Canterbury says the reason wells are empty is because the region didn't get enough rain in last year to recharge the ground water system. They say this year is looking no better.
Ten percent of the 480 wells the authority monitor are at 30-year lows.
Environment Canterbury Groundwater Science Manager Carl Hanson says they'll be keeping a close eye on water levels.
"If we don't get good rainfall this winter then we will be starting next summer with lower ground levels, and that could be cause for concern."
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