Failure leaves thousands without water

People have been advised to bring clean containers to fill up with water from taps at a secondary line. Photo / Alan Gibson

A break in a water main has left thousands of people without water across east Auckland today.

A main arterial line was broken in Mellons Bay early this morning, which affected houses in the suburbs of Howick, Pakuranga, Mellons Bay, Half Moon Bay, and East Tamaki.

It was not clear exactly how many people were affected, but the call centre had been busy with calls from a wide catchment area, said Manukau Water's Alex Board.

"We've had 20 to 30 people on hold throughout the morning and we have set up an automated response telephone line to let customers know what's going on," Mr Board told NZPA.

Chief executive Raveen Jaduram said he expected the issue would be resolved later this evening.

Howick and Bucklands Beach residents experiencing a loss of supply or drop in pressure can get water from tankers at various points this afternoon, at Howick College, Bradbury Road, Picton Street at Stockade Hill and the Highland Park shopping centre.

People need to take their own containers - with lids - because bottles will not be supplied.

The line runs through Howick College, the corner of Bradbury Road and Union Road, Picton Street carpark, Highland Park shops, Macleans College, Macleans Primary School, and the Meadowland Shopping Centre.

- NZPA, NEWSTALK ZB