Tauranga's water consumption is approaching last summer's peak use, with the city's water supply network having to work to keep up with demand.

Cloudy water for some customers over the last few days is a result of the system struggling, says Team Leader Water Services Peter Bahrs.

"The cloudiness is caused by air bubbles. The cloudiness will clear from the bottom up if left to stand in a jug.

"The water is safe to drink."

The graph shows how Tauranga City's water demand is tracking compared with previous summers.

Tauranga water use is approaching last year's peak. Image: Supplied.

"The seven day rolling average smooths out any day-to-day water operations spikes and provides a good indication of how the demand is changing in response to changing weather."

The high usage level of 45,000 m3/day equates to about 70 per cent of the city's water treatment capacity. Water restrictions would be considered when water usage is sustained above 50,000 m3/day, or about 80 per cent of the city's capacity.

Restrictions have not been needed since water meters were introduced in 2000.

However, growth is putting increasing pressure on the city's water supply capacity each year, especially along the coastal strip each summer.

That trend will continue until the Waiari Water Supply Scheme comes online in 2021.

If water usage is sustained past the 50,000m3/day level, water restrictions could involve, sprinkler restrictions, pleas to stop car washing could also be part of the discussion.

A failure on the 500mm water main on Welcome Bay Road last Friday caused a number of rural properties to lose their water supply.

Water was shut down at 8pm. The repair was completed and water back on Saturday at 5am.