Water in an emergency

If there is an emergency, such as a natural disaster or pandemic, water supply to the Wellington region could be severely affected, or in an extreme scenario cut off completely. If the regional water supply was cut as a result of a major emergency, Greater Wellington Regional Council would begin working to re-establish the supply as soon as possible, but obviously their ability to do so would entirely depend on the severity of the damage which occurred as a result of the disaster. It could take weeks or months for the supply to be re-established, and in the meantime residents of Upper Hutt would be dependent on emergency supplies.

If you are dependent on the town water supply then your household or workplace will need 15 to 20 litres of water per person per day. It’s vital to store enough for three days or more, and at home it’s advisable to store more than that where possible because you will need extra water for cooking, personal hygiene, and if you have pets.

Water can be stored in plastic soft drink, juice bottles, or you can buy plastic water containers. Do not use milk bottles, as traces of leftover milk will contaminate the water. An alternative is to install an rainwater tank.

Fill each container with tap water until it overflows. Place the lids on tightly and store the water in a cool, dark place, like a storage cupboard, garage or shed.

Check the bottles every 12 months (e.g. at the beginning or end of daylight saving). If the water is not clear, use it in the garden or on houseplants and refill clean bottles with clean water.

Wellington Water works with Upper Hutt City Council to make sure our community is both prepared, and ready to recover from a significant earthquake.