Above-ground emergency water network
An above-ground emergency water network will supply Wellington communities from day eight after a major earthquake.
Wellington is a great place to live, work and play. But it can be a little wild!
Wellington's water supply network is vulnerable. Some suburbs could be without water for more than 100 days after an earthquake of 7.5 or stronger.
Our water network is made up of more than 2,000 kilometres of buried pipes – and around 1,400 kilometres are considered vulnerable. Around 30 per cent of our 149 water reservoirs are also considered vulnerable.
The emergency water supply network will supply the more than 400,000 people across Wellington who may need to survive without a water network.
News
Media statement 25 June 2018: Keeping water flowing when an earthquake stops the taps
Media statement 16 March 2018: Hunt for emergency water sources update
Media statement 27 June 2017: Budget 2017: $6m for Wellington regional emergency water supplies
Media coverage
One News: Wellington preparing for disaster by drilling into Earth’s surface in search of water
Capital gets into gear as it recovers from the quake
Government sets aside $6m in budget to help build water resilience in Wellington
The science of a water aquifer
'Urgent' freshwater search under way in Wellington
Finding emergency water supplies for Wellington and Porirua
Where are the water stations?
Community water stations are strategically located at 21 sites across urban Wellington. An additional water station can be deployed to areas of highest need after the earthquake, and will be used for training. Read more
What is a Community Water Station?
Community Water Stations are strategically located across urban Wellington. At some sites we drilled new wells to source water, and at other sites water will be taken from streams. Read more
How the emergency water network will operate
New alternative water supplies are ready to start supplying communities from day eight after a major earthquake. Read more
Finding water sources
Field measurements and investigations have identified the most reliable and safe water sources. Read more