FAQS

Sewers or sewerage?

Sewers (or wastewater pipes) are the pipes in the street that transport the wastewater to the treatment plant.   Find out more here

What's stormwater?

Stormwater is rain which has run off hard surfaces such as roofs, roads and carparks. Stormwater is not treated and the water ends up in streams and harbours.   Read more

Why is my water out?

Water supply interruptions are either planned or unplanned.   Read more

Wastewater or sewage?

Wastewater and sewage are the same thing - dirty water from homes and businesses that is sent to a wastewater treatment plant for treatment. It's a mixture of water and human waste.   Read more

Stormwater or wastewater?

Stormwater is rainwater that flows across roofs, roads and driveways into the stormwater system. Stormwater is not treated to remove any pollutants.   Read more

How long will my water be off for?

Across the Wellington region, there are around 30-40 instances per week when the water needs to shut off. Most water main bursts are fixed within a couple of hours. However, a range of factors can affect how long it takes:   Read more

Why do I need to stay out of flood water?

It's best to stay well clear of any floodwater. There's a good chance that the floodwater is not clean as it may be contaminated with wastewater or surface pollution. There may also be unseen hazards lurking under the floodwater such as open manholes (where the manhole cover has been lifted away), ditches or obstructions such as trees or debris.   Read more

What's a toby?

A toby is the water shut-off valve, generally located at the boundary of your property, that sits between the council water main and your private water pipe.   Read more

Why is my water brown?

It’s likely that work on the pipes in your area has dislodged some silt from inside of the pipes.   Read more