Watercare environmental assets manager James Talbot surveying the impact of the Auckland floods at the Lower Nihotupu Dam on 29 January Photo: Supplied/ Watercare
Watercare claims the water supply is restored for all of Auckland, though not everyone agrees, and the service warned to expect further disruptions.
In a statement Watercare chief operations officer Mark Bourne said the company restored water to 3000 properties after pipes were damaged in Auckland's torrential downpours: "We now believe all customers should have water on."
But he warned that in the coming days residents in and around the suburb of Titirangi could still find the water supply was intermittent as workers found more damaged pipes due to slips.
However, RNZ was contacted by a person in South Titirangi who said they did not have water on Tuesday afternoon, and were frustrated the service had indicated it was back on for all.
"With more intense rain on the way though, we're not out of the woods yet," Bourne said. "We've been busy sandbagging some of our pump stations and sourcing back-up generators in case we need them tonight."
The situation was fragile at the city's water supply dams and treatment plants.
There were still significant challenges with the water quality in the city's dams after significant landslips sent dirt into the water - making it difficult to treat, Bourne said. Two of the western dams had been taken out of service until the water quality improved.
"Dirt is still constantly being washed into" both the Lower Nihotupu and Lower Huia dam", he said.
"Our Ardmore and Waikato water treatment plants are coping well and we can produce enough water for Auckland if the Huia plant shuts down - so long as people use it wisely.
"But if Our Huia Water Treatment Plant shuts down, we have to get water from our southern plants all the way up to the northern reaches of the city. For us to do that successfully, we'll need people to be mindful of their water use."
The Lower Nihotupu Dam on 29 January. Photo: Supplied/ Watercare
The amount of rain that has fallen in Auckland's Upper Nihotupu catchment in the past week Photo: Supplied/ Watercare
During the storms 10 wastewater pump stations were damaged and their electrics impaired in the wet. Eight were working by Tuesday afternoon, and the last two were expected to be back online during Tuesday evening.
A huge landslip in the Waitākere water catchment during the Auckland floods. Photo: Supplied/ Watercare
