Emergency water supply

It may be days, weeks, or even months before water supplies are returned to normal after a major event in the Wellington region.

The University stores bulk water for use in the event of an emergency, until normal water supplies are restored.

Using water in an emergency

During an emergency, water use will be prioritised in this order:

1. drinking
2. food preparation
3. essential hygiene.

Water sources should be used in the following order:

1. personal drink bottles
2. staff personal emergency water containers (5 litres each)
3. water coolers (turn off inlet valve as soon as possible after incident)
4. Civil Defence Cabinets water supplies (15 litres each)
5. conserved water in building systems
6. water heaters (Zips)
7. hot water cylinders (turn off inlet valve as soon as possible after incident)
8. distilled water holding tanks in laboratories (20 – 60 litres)
9. 200 litre drum supplies
10. 4,500 litre bulk water tanks
11. 60,000 litre bulk water tank in New Kirk (distribution point Hunter courtyard).

Treating water for drinking

If there is doubt over drinking water quality, it should be treated with ordinary household bleach—1/2 teaspoon or 2.5ml to 10 litres of water. Water treatment kits are also available in the Civil Defence Cabinets.