Update, 11.29am: Water is reported to be "back on" following an unplanned shut down in Tauranga South on Sunday morning that took residents by surprise.

Tauranga City Council say that the water is back on, but some may find their water is discoloured.

"We are advising people to run an outside tap for five to ten minutes until it runs clear and if there's any difficulty to please call us on 07 5777000."

Callers have been phoning in to Tauranga City Council asking about the shut down with many unable to get through to operators and leaving their numbers for a call back.

"Everyone who we have called back, their water is clear," says a council spokesperson.

"There was an annual mains water flush that was planned to go ahead today and happening over the next two weeks."

The annual mains water flush was announced by Tauranga City Council on their website on July 10.

The notice reads that from Sunday July 16, for a period of two weeks, Downer will undertake the annual water mains scouring programme (flushing) in Oropi, Greerton, Merivale, Gate Pa, and the Avenues through to the city centre and Bureta, and all side roads.

"This process is part of our standard maintenance programme to ensure pipes are clean and water flows as intended."

A Tauranga City Council spokesperson says that although they were planning to flush out the mains from today, it may have affected the water being turned off.

"It was not a planned water shut down but a planned water flushing. So they have been back out and have cancelled the mains flushing."

Water should now be back on for the affected suburbs in Tauranga South.

Earlier, 10.55am SunLive readers are reporting that water has been shut down in Tauranga South.

"Water is out in Greerton," says Greerton resident Gary Salisbury.

Another resident in Gate Pa is also reporting no water.

"I'm in Cook Street. I've got no water. And there's none in Dunkirk or Tuthill from what I can see," says a Gate Pa resident.

"[There was] no planned shut down."

Residents report trying to phone Tauranga City Council but many are unable to get through.

"I've just spoken to council and they said it's an emergency shut down," says Gary.

On July 10, Tauranga City Council announced that from today, Sunday July 16, for a period of two weeks, Downer will be undertaking the annual water mains scouring programme (flushing) in the following areas:
• Oropi
• Greerton
• Merivale
• Gate Pa
• the Avenues through to the city centre and Bureta, and all side roads.

Downer is the contractor for the maintenance of Tauranga's water, stormwater and wastewater systems.

"This process is part of our standard maintenance programme to ensure pipes are clean and water flows as intended," says a spokesperson on the council's Facebook page in the July 10 post.

"Note: the process may cause a temporary discoloration of your water. Please run an outside tap for 5-10 minutes until the water clears. If you have any concerns, please call our Contact Centre on 07 577 7000."

Residents posting to the council's Facebook page on Sunday morning are asking when the water will be switched back on.

"How long?? We now have no water at all for anything. No warning at all with young children," says one resident.

"5-10 mins at x flow rate = how much water, we are all on meters remember, are we expected to contribute as well as pay?" says another.

SunLive has asked Tauranga City Council for comment.

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