Cut-off water supply in parts of Wellington due to return as pipe repaired

6:35 pm on 19 February 2022

A broken pipe that cut off water to four Wellington suburbs has been fixed but the water will stay off until 11pm.

Workers at the site of the main break in Helen Street in the Wellington suburb of Brooklyn.

Workers at the site of the main break in Helen Street in the Wellington suburb of Brooklyn. Photo: RNZ / Janice Swanwick

The fault was found yesterday in a pipeline that supplies Brooklyn Reservoir.

Wellington Water said it was now re-filling the reservoir and, once this is done, water would slowly be added back to the network.

"While we do this, you may see some of our crews out and about opening valves and hydrants across the network to check things are working as they should.

"If you see us in your area, please don't assume that your water is back on as any use of your water during this time could cause more damage to the network and mean that your water is off for longer."

Water trucks stationed at Brooklyn Primary School, Ridgeway School, Krull St Playground, and near the Brooklyn Food Market will remain there until 11.30pm.

The Brooklyn Community Centre will also continue to be open with bottled water available until 11pm.

Residents who would like a text udpate via Wellington Water can register to their service by texting 'HELLO' to 8090.

You can continue to use your emergency water supply if you have it - just boil it for a minute before you drink or use it.

Vulnerable residents or those who are isolating at home should call the Wellington City Council call centre and provide them with their address to arrange for contactless delivery of water.

Wellington's water network suffered multiple faults last year ranging from burst water mains in Karori and Aro Valley to a burst wastewater pipe in the central city.

In 2019, a sewage and wastewater pipe that served the whole city broke leading to sewage and wastewater pouring into Wellington Harbour.