All residential sprinklers and irrigation systems have been banned in the Wellington region.

The move follows unusually dry weather and urgent work on the Waiwhetu Aquifer.

Wellington Water treatment plant manager Jeremy McKibbin said he hopes it doesn't have to be extended to a total outdoor ban.

"If that doesn't work we'd have to move into more stringent controls again like an outdoor water-use ban altogether, which I hope it doesn't come to".

He said he's confident they can supply safe drinking water at this stage.

"What's crucial is that we're conservative about what reserves we have, those lakes, that's our piggy bank for later on in the summer. As long as we're careful about that reserve now, we'll be right".

Wellington Water Committee chair David Bassett said it's all hands on deck.

"So that we can ensure we've got appropriate water levels to be able to get through, particularly the January and February months when it's at its most driest".

Bassett said that people need to preserve water for later in the Summer.

"I think it's quite manageable but everyone has to take their share of responsibility".

McKibbin said that while it's one of the driest Novembers in 90 years, people can still water their gardens by hand.

"Only water when necessary and you can also collect your own water from the shower or whatever which you can use on the garden. Or you can let your lawn die off and it will grow back".