Vivian St in Wellington flooded with muddy water after water main bursts

A cast iron main has burst in central Wellington, flooding State Highway 1 with muddy water.

Wellington Water reported a 150mm main burst on Vivian St this afternoon.

“Our team have successfully isolated the drinking water pipe as we progress with the repairs. The area affected is 46 - 66 (odd numbered) and 39 - 81 Vivian Street, Te Aro”, the water company said on social media.

Water service was expected to be restored this evening.

New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi said the right lane between Taranaki St and Tory St was blocked.

Motorists have been warned to expect delays.

Water services are not expected to be restored until this evening. Photo / Mark Mitchell

Wellington City Council had approved a $1.8 billion investment in water pipes in its Long Term Plan (LTP).

However, its decision to stop the sale of its 34% share in the airport has upended the LTP and left a financial hole that could be plugged by cutting hundreds of millions of dollars in capital spending.

The situation has prompted Local Government Minister Simeon Brown to ask for advice on potential interventions.

New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi said the right lane between Taranaki St and Tory St is blocked after a water main burst in Wellington. Photo / Mark Mitchell

Mayor Tory Whanau has said she does not intend to cut projects that are critical for the city’s growth and sustainability.

“For me, that means protecting our social housing, and continuing funding for water and key climate initiatives.”

Whanau said addressing the financial hole the airport sale has left, without further increasing rates, was a bottom line for her.

Councillor Diane Calvert also said water investment should not be touched, describing it as sacrosanct.

Last week a large pool of brown wastewater spewed onto Featherston St near Parliament and into Wellington’s harbour.

A pipe that carried wastewater under pressure had burst.

Warning signs were put up at five sites along the waterfront advising people not to swim.

Last week a large pool of brown wastewater spewed onto Featherston St. Photo / Mark Mitchell

Georgina Campbell is a Wellington-based reporter who has a particular interest in local government, transport, and seismic issues. She joined the Herald in 2019 after working as a broadcast journalist.