Ohakune water supply restored after earthquake-damaged pipeline shut down town
Ohakune's water supply has been restored after a 5.9 magnitude earthquake broke the underground pipeline, forcing a multi-day outage.
A magnitude 5.9 earthquake near Taumarunui in late July damaged a major pipeline feeding Ohakune's water treatment plants, forcing the town to shut down its water supply. Residents were told not to use tap water or flush toilets, with water tankers and portable toilets deployed to the streets. The reservoir had fallen to just 12 per cent capacity. After several days and multiple delays due to concerns about re-pressurising the damaged pipe, water has now been restored, though a precautionary boil notice remained in place initially.
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Coverage across the news outlets we track, as at publication.
What outlets are saying
RNZ
Tankers, toilets on Ohakune streets after water pipe breaks
The damage to the pipe is believed to be the result of the recent 5.9 earthquake near Taumarunui.
NZ Herald
Tankers, toilets on Ohakune streets after water pipe breaks
Residents should avoid flushing toilets after the recent earthquake broke a pipeline.
RNZ
Alert warns Ohakune residents of water outage after quake damage
Residents and visitors are being told not to use tap water or flush toilets, and to conserve supplies.
1News
Ohakune residents told to conserve water after major pipe breaks
Damage caused by last month's magnitude 5.9 earthquake near Taumarunui caused a major break in the town's underground water pipeline.
NZ Herald
Ohakune water crisis: Mum hauls creek water to flush toilet as taps run dry for days
Water is not expected to return until tomorrow evening.
Stuff
Alert warns Ohakune residents of water outage after quake damage
Residents and visitors are being told not to use tap water or flush toilets, and to conserve supplies.
RNZ
Schools closed as Ohakune faces water shutdown
Residents and visitors are being told not to use tap water or flush toilets, and to conserve supplies.
RNZ
Ohakune's water shutdown likely to last longer than expected
Supplies are being dropped to parts of the community, with the mayor unable to confirm when water will be back on.
Stuff
A quake sparked Ohakune’s water crisis – now the Govt may need to step in as things worsen
The 5.9 magnitude quake in Taumarunui on July 25 broke pipes feeding raw water the Ohakune treatment plants and the reservoir ran down as low at 12%.
NZ Herald
Ohakune water shutdown likely to last longer than expected
The town's water reservoir has fallen to just 12%.
RNZ
Council pushes Ohakune's water restoration another 24 hours
Ruapehu District's mayor has reversed an earlier pessimistic assessment of the town's water woes, and says service could be restored by 5pm.
1News
Ohakune water outage extended as quake-damaged pipe risks rupture
The town's water supply is now not expected to return until Tuesday evening, after engineers warned restoring pressure too quickly could fracture the pipeline again.
Newstalk ZB
Extra support arrives as Ohakune in race to restore water supply
Extra support has been brought in to help restore the water supply to Ohakune.
RNZ
Ohakune businesses hurting as water restoration still another 24 hours away
Schools and eateries were closed on Monday and one motel reported losing a substantial booking.
Stuff
‘Race against time’ to get water back on in Ohakune
A boil water notice is still likely when the reservoir is filled.
RNZ
Precautionary boil notice for Ohakune when water returns after 'good progress' made
The central North Island town's been without water since Sunday due to damage to the pipeline caused by an earthquake more than two weeks ago.
Otago Daily Times
Boil notice for Ohakune when water back on
RNZ
Water should be flowing again in Ohakune
The central North Island town's been without water since Sunday due to damage to the pipeline caused by an earthquake more than two weeks ago.
RNZ
Boil water notice remains in place despite Ohakune supply being restored
Officials say there could be some small outages while small leaks are fixed.
RNZ
Water flowing well after Ohakune outage
Ruapehu's civil defence controller says the restoration of tap water in the central North Island town of Ohakune has gone smoothly.