It was located empty, partially painted and damaged in Olliviers Rd in central Christchurch yesterday morning, police said.
Barry Dell Plumbing office manager Liz Carmichael said the company was pleased to recover the truck.
"We are thinking of having a welcome back party," she said.
The truck would be returned to Dunedin by a tow truck as the company was unsure if it would survive the return trip.
"We wouldn't do that to the poor wee baby," Mrs Carmichael said.
"It's had a hard enough few days as it is."
It was expected back on Monday and would likely be greeted with a staff barbecue.
In attempting to disguise the truck, its thief had painted the waste tank black.
"The poor wee baby has got flat tyres. It's got damage to the front when it hit the gate. It's got windows damaged. They have taken our sign-writing off it and they have tried to paint it with a paint brush," she said.
However, the truck's road cones were still intact, as was its pump, she said.
The truck was insured and insurance would cover the cost of returning it to Dunedin and the damage.
Police were yet to establish a motive for the theft and are searching for Jason Nash, who is believed to have driven the truck to Christchurch.
Police spoke to a second man involved in taking the truck, but no charges had been laid yet.
"We'll need to have a chat with Jason first and then we will know where we stand," Southern police spokesman Nic Barkley said.
