Tankers, toilets on Ohakune streets after water pipe breaks

A water tanker and portable toilets are being installed around the central North Island town of Ohakune as water supplies come under threat.

The Ruapehu District Council said the recent 5.9 earthquake near Taumarunui had caused a major break in the buried raw water pipeline supplying the treatment plant.

Residents and visitors are being asked to conserve supplies.

A water tanker is outside the council office on Ayr Street for people who bring their own containers.

Five-litre bottles of drinking water and portable toilets have also been distributed around the town.

People are being asked to avoid flushing their toilets until the reservoir recovers.