The boss of Wellington Water accepts more money's needed to fix the city's pipes.

It comes amid reports severe water restrictions could be in force this summer largely due to leaks.

That may include total residential outdoor water bans.

Colin Crampton told Heather Du Plessis-Allan they're fixing water leaks as quickly as they can - but the number is increasing.

He says they need some big cash.

“At the moment, our manual budget for operations is about $100 million a year, so it’s going to be in the millions, isn’t it?”

LISTEN ABOVE