Several have warning signs telling the public, "Do not stand in doorway. Water spray will activate". One sign is very specific: "Warning this area is now fitted with an automatic washing system 8:00pm to 6:00am. Please keep clear".
Why have they done this? This depends on who you talk to. The complaints I've heard articulated by business lobby groups include: urination, defecation, drug deals, mess and intimidation of returning tenants.
These issues are almost all legal offences and can be dealt with under current bylaws and statutes. Any threat or intimidation in a public place is a matter for the police.
Furthermore, many of the problems cited are not actually caused by homeless people, yet it's the homeless who are primarily affected. The people most likely to urinate and defecate in doorways are drunks making their way home.
Business lobby groups that have commented in public (Heart of the City and the Auckland Chamber of Commerce) are at a distance from the businesses concerned.
Heart of the City for instance, said it was aware of a few landlords putting sprinklers in but claimed, "they were mostly rental properties and apartments with people who needed to get in and out at all hours, rather than retail businesses".
None of the five businesses currently using sprinkler systems offer residential accommodation.
Michael Barnett, CEO of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce, has said publicly that the chamber does not condone the practice of water sprinklers.
Why, then, does Mr Barnett not act as a facilitator inviting the five businesses around the table to address the issues and look for a better solution than dousing homeless people with water?
What next?
According to Auckland Council planning rules, there is nothing that can be done to prevent sprinklers being installed in private spaces in order to deter rough sleepers.
Disappointingly, the Auckland Design Manual, the bible for the future design of our city is also silent on sprinklers, spikes and other forms of "defensive architecture".
I have written to Mayor Phil Goff and to council's urban design champion Ludo Campbell-Reid seeking their support for the introduction of socially responsible design solutions.
Similar sprinkler systems installed overseas have been met with a public outcry and condemnation.
In March 2015, local media learned St Mary's Cathedral, the principal church of the Archdiocese of San Francisco, had installed a "watering system" to keep the homeless from sleeping in the cathedral's doorways.
A barrage of public criticism led the archdiocese to remove the sprinklers within 24 hours.
Closer to home, sprinklers installed around the King St Art Centre in Perth's central business district were also turned off after a public outcry.
Since the Auckland story broke, both the Auckland City Mission and Lifewise have publicly condemned the drenching of homeless people. Auckland City Missioner Chris Farrelly says it's "cruel and hostile" to turn sprinklers on rough sleepers especially with winter fast approaching.
"The fact that someone is sleeping rough is a tragedy in and of itself," he says.
"To then douse that person with water, in the middle of the night, is both callous and unnecessary.
"We know there is a story behind each human being sleeping on the streets - often a tragic story - and the only acceptable response is compassion."
Moira Lawler, chief executive of Lifewise, says we have to stop trying to move the problem on and instead join forces to end homelessness in the city centre. This will take some innovation from everyone and some careful thinking about how we use scarce resources.
These voluntary agencies in Auckland are working with the council and the Government to end rough sleeping by 2020. Re-homing chronic rough sleepers is complex and requires a long-term commitment by everyone.
As we tackle the big issue of rough sleeping, can't our city centre businesses be more charitable to our most vulnerable and marginalised citizens? Are we really a city that drenches the homeless?
• Cathy Casey is an Auckland Councillor for the Albert-Eden ward.
