Apartment dwellers angry at noisy cascade

A Niagara Falls effect caused by heavy rain cascading down balconies is giving residents of an Auckland apartment block sleepless nights.

A Government department was called in to examine the problem in the curved-style 26-unit block at 8 Basque Rd on the corner of Exmouth St in Newton.

"It feels like living under a waterfall," one owner claimed.

The water was so loud it kept residents awake at night.

Not all agree the issue is serious. One person blamed an automatic plant-watering system on a deck.

Owners are facing a repair bill of up to $4 million.

Building consultants Alexander & Co have assessed problems and owners have been levied thousands of dollars for consultants, but repairs have not started.

Meanwhile, the cascading water continues, pouring from one balcony on to neighbours below.

Department of Building and Housing determinations manager John Gardiner decided the problem should not be rectified and no water collection systems should be installed.