Lifeline utilities are the gas, electricity, petrol, transport, water, sewerage and telecommunications infrastructure we need to live. These utilities can be disrupted through event such as earthquakes, fires or landslides. Disruptions can also occur through acts of terrorism or accidents that damage infrastructure.
Effects of a utility failure
Infrastructure failure may significantly disrupt a community and society and can have a large economic impact. Depending on the time of year, disruption to utilities such as power could have a potentially serious effect for people trying to heat their houses in winter. People who rely on electrical medical equipment are especially vulnerable in a power failure.
In 2006 a burst water main flooded parts of Wellington’s gas network, disrupting gas supply to the central city for several weeks. The outage affected many businesses, particularly those in the hospitality sector, and was costly and disruptive to repair.
Current information on any utility disruptions
Any power outages information will be available from
- Wellington Electricity (Wellington City, Porirua and Hutt Valley)
- Electra (Kapiti Coast)
- Power Co (Wairarapa)
Any water outage information will be available from
- Wellington Water Outages – Twitter Feed (Wellington City, Porirua and Hutt Valley)
- Kapiti Coast District Council Water Supply
- Masterton District Council Water Supply
- Carterton District Council Water Supply
- South Wairarapa District Council Water Supply
Lifelines utility groups
There are two groups in the Wellington Region that coordinate the reduction, readiness, response and recovery of lifeline utility organisation: