Several homes and businesses in Albany in Auckland are continuing to experience low water pressure after a major water mains failure yesterday afternoon.

Many properties were left without any water for several hours when the break occurred at around 3.30 yesterday afternoon.

Watercare staff have been working through the night to repair breaks at three locations.

Acting chief operations officer Shayne Cunis says further work will be carried out tonight and they hope to have water pressure back to normal tomorrow morning.

He says water may be discoloured but remains safe to drink, and people can also pick up water from eight locations.

Auckland's Westfield Albany shopping centre hopes to reopen this afternoon after being forced to close last night due to interrupted water supply.

Kmart and New World have been able to continue to operate, with 30 portoloos in place for staff and customers.

However, other shops at the mall remain closed.

A mall spokesperson says it is too early to comment on compensation or financial implications and the priority is to get shops trading again.

Watercare is providing water at eight locations:
- Tanker one: corner of Oaklands Road and Bass Road
- Tanker two: Bushland Park Drive, by the Park
- Tanker three: Living Stream Road
- Tanker Four: The Avenue, by the shops
- Tanker Five: Medallion Drive
- Tanker Six: Albany Mall
- Tanker Seven: Quail Drive
- Tanker Eight: Corinthian Drive

Watercare key points:
- Residents are advised to bring clean containers with lids to transport the water home as bottles will not be provided.
- Final repair work will begin at 10pm and Watercare expects to have restored the water supply by tomorrow morning.
- The cause of the failure has not been confirmed at present.
- Watercare apologises to affected residents for the inconvenience.

Westfield Albany key points
- Kmart and New World continue to trade.
- Over 30 portoloos are in place for the comfort of their staff and customers.
- The rest of the mall is expected to open at 1pm