Infrastructure

'Third world capital': Parts of Wellington without water for hours

17:07 pm on 14 September 2023

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A third world capital, that's the verdict from the restaurant association.

Large chunks of Wellington's CBD were without water for hours today meaning no flushing toilets, workers sent home and business grinding to a halt.

An alert was issued at just after 8am after a pipe burst leaving at least a hundred properties around Waring Taylor Street, Queens Wharf and Hunter Street without running water.

Water tankers were set up in the CBD, with residents and business having to bring their own containers.

And parts of Customhouse Quay had to be cordoned off for maintenance crews, disrupting traffic.

Just after midday the taps were turned back on.

Wellington restuarant owner and Restaurant Association national president, Mike Egan, speaks to Lisa Owen.