The boss of Wellington Water says it is going to take a massive $1 billion to fix all of the Wellington region's water problems.
It comes as there is a one in four chance Wellingtonians will enter level four water restrictions this summer, meaning no outdoor water usage is permitted and indoor usage must be reduced.
Appearing on AM on Friday, Wellington Water CEO Tonia Haskell said the issue has derived from historic under-investment. Haskell said Wellington should be renewing around one percent of its pipes each year to replace the network.
"Unfortunately, because that investment hasn't occurred… We are now in a situation where we have to repair a lot and that takes a lot of effort and as you can see it's very reactive," Haskell told co-host Melissa Chan-Green.
"It's quite an inefficient way to run a business, it's really hard to keep on top of."
It is estimated 45 percent of the region's water was being lost through water leaks.
Haskell said it would cost $1 billion each year across the whole region to fix water supply and leakage problems, as well as issues with wastewater treatment plants.
However, former mayor of Wellington and current New Zealand First MP Andy Foster said the issue is largely due to the Kaikōura earthquake in 2016.
He said there has been a long-term reduction in the level of leaks through to 2016 but then it increased.
"It seems to me there's pretty clear evidence that relatively old network yes, but also that we had a major earthquake that damaged buildings above ground. It's not rocket science to work out it must have done some damage underground," Foster said.
Civil Defence is now monitoring the situation in Wellington and is urging people to start conserving water now.
The region is currently under level one restrictions, meaning people can only use their sprinklers every second day.
