A water main has burst in central Wellington flooding State Highway 1 with muddy water.

Wellington Water reported a 150mm cast iron main burst on Vivian St this afternoon.

“We are currently assessing the shutdown area and water will soon be turned off. We’re working as quickly as possible and expect water service to be restored this evening”, the water company said on social media.

Last week a large pool of brown wastewater spewed onto Featherston St near Parliament and into Wellington’s harbour.

That overflow was due to a burst pipe that carried wastewater under pressure.

Warning signs were put up at five sites along the waterfront advising people not to swim.

Last week a large pool of brown wastewater spewed onto Featherston St. Photo / Mark Mitchell

Georgina Campbell is a Wellington-based reporter who has a particular interest in local government, transport, and seismic issues. She joined the Herald in 2019 after working as a broadcast journalist.