Hokitika residents may have to watch their water use for the rest of the week while contractors fix a main pipe beneath the water treatment plant at Blue Spur.
Last Wednesday, the Westland District Council issued a 72-hour conserve water notice after a pipe leak occurred under the concrete floor of the treatment plant building, reducing the availability of water to the town supply.
"This is where the Lake Kaniere raw water pipe enters the building vertically," Westland District Council district assets group manager David Inwood said on Friday.
"It requires excavation of the zone to inspect the problem."
New pipework was being sourced to provide an alternative water pipe route while repair options were assessed, Mr Inwood said.
Materials had been ordered, some of which had to be manufactured in Christchurch.
"The work is expected to take approximately one week and the conserve water notice is likely to be extended for this period," Mr Inwood said.
"This is a precautionary measure to ensure adequate water volumes are maintained in the event that the raw water supply might need to be temporarily disconnected.
"We thank residents for their assistance in conserving water since the notice was put in place."
- By Janna Sherman
