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Guide to interruptions

There may be times when your water supply is interrupted. We aim to restore supply as quickly as possible. We will notify you of any planned water interruptions during scheduled maintenance or pipe renewals.

We cannot provide advance warning if the water is turned off due to an emergency, such as a burst or leak, which requires urgent repairs. In such cases, we will work as fast as we can to restore your water supply.

Intermittent interruptions can sometimes cause temporary changes to your water quality when it is back on.

If you have been advised that your water will be turned off, or if you find you have no water due to emergency works, read more about what you can do or how to prepare.

Preparing for a planned water interruption

If we have notified you that your water will be turned off, take the following steps to prepare for the water being turned off:

  • Fill some jugs or containers with extra water for drinking and/or cooking.
  • Turn off all taps throughout your property, including laundry appliances, hot water service, water filters, air-conditioning units and outdoor sprinkling systems, so there is no risk of flooding if the water comes back on when you’re not around. 
  • Avoid using your washing machine, dishwasher or hot water service as this can result in sediment being drawn into the appliances which can damage them.
  • Remove any wet washing from your washing machine.

Unplanned water service interruption

Find information about when the water will be turned back on
  • Review the notification we provided advising you about the planned interruption to your water.
  • Check our current works page for more information on current works in your area.
  • Check our live network interruptions map if your water has been turned off for emergency works.
  • Call our 24/7 Fault Line on 132 812 and press 1 for information if you have recently lost your water supply.

Protect your property
  • Turn off all taps throughout your property, including laundry appliances, hot water service, water filters, air-conditioning units and outdoor sprinkling systems, so there is no risk of flooding if the water comes back on when you’re not around. 
  • Don’t try to use your washing machine, dishwasher or hot water service, as this can result in sediment being drawn into the appliances which can damage them.
  • Remove any wet washing from your washing machine.

Access to emergency drinking water

You should have enough time to fill jugs and containers with water for drinking and cooking if we have notified you of the scheduled water interruption. When we need to shut off the water for emergency repairs, access to emergency drinking water is available in the following ways:

  • Our live network interruption map will show locations where people can access emergency drinking water.
  • Our crews will set up a tap on a nearby street hydrant for you to fill your own containers.
  • If you are unable to travel to the work site to collect emergency drinking water due to a disability, health condition, or age, call us on 132 812 so we can discuss if there are any alternative option

After water is restored

When the water is turned back on, you may notice temporary changes to the look and taste of your water. To help manage this, we recommend you follow these simple steps:

  • Before using any internal taps, run the outside tap that is closest to your water meter for a few minutes. This will flush any water with natural sediments in it and stop discoloured water entering your internal pipes or your appliances.
  • If you still notice the water from your internal taps is discoloured, run a tap at the back of your property (such as a garden tap) for a few minutes to flush the discoloured water from your internal pipes.
  • Turn back on the appliance taps you may have turned off before the water was turned off.

For more information check out the water quality problems page to learn what’s normal, what’s not, and how to manage any temporary changes to your water supply.

Learn more

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