Sean and Rita Curtis left with no water at home for four weeks, four days

When a wild pig broke one family’s water pipes, they were left without access to the precious resource in their own home for four weeks and four days.

Sean and Rita Curtis were left without a drop of running water in their home at Kybrook Farm, Pine Creek, for four weeks and four days. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

When their house lost access to water for four weeks and four days, Sean Curtis and his wife were forced to rely on neighbours for their survival.

Mr Curtis said he became “suspicious” of a water leak somewhere on his property when his grass stayed green even during the dry season.

For “months and months”, he said freshwater continued running through his pipes while his little garden thrived.

But one day, the taps ran dry, the toilet no longer flushed, and showering became an impossibility.

Sean and Rita Curtis were left without a drop of running water in their home at Kybrook Farm, Pine Creek, for four weeks and four days. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

“We lived in a tent down the road for three years,” he said.

“We’d get water out of the creek, swim in it and clean up – this is worse.”

Mr Curtis said he and his wife would also collect buckets of water to drink and flush their toilet with from his sister-in-law, who conveniently lived next door.

“My sister-in-law, she’s been great,” Mr Curtis said.

“We’ll just walk in, have a shower and walk out, she doesn’t mind at all, that’s been a big help to us.”

The long-term Territorians live on Kybrook Farm – about 7.5km south of Pine Creek.

A Territory Families, Housing, and Communities Department spokesperson said a water pipe at the house had been damaged by a pig, causing an “unusual issue”.

“Everyone deserves to have a safe and functioning home to live,” they said.

“As soon as we became aware of the extent of the issue and lack of access to water, we immediately took action to resolve.

“We’ve been in ongoing contact with the tenant since we were first notified of a water leak onsite and have met with the Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics to try and resolve the issue.

“Unfortunately, due to safety concerns, the contractor (could) only fix the pipe once the pig (was) removed from the area.”

Contactors arrived on site to repair the leak on July 9.

The spokesperson said the department would speak to all members of the community to ensure “they understand how to report any problems or make repairs and maintenance requests”.

“We thank the tenants for their patience while we’ve been working to find the best solution to this challenge,” they said.

Speaking to the NT News while the contractors worked in his garden, Mr Curtis said he was relieved his home would have running water once more.

He said his first order of business once the repairs were complete would be bathing.

“I’ve just got to google to learn how to have a shower, it’s been that long,” he said.

Originally published as Sean and Rita Curtis left with no water at home for four weeks, four days