UPDATED 11.45: Tankers are providing water for Te Puna School and the Te Puna Marae following two water mains breaks this morning.

Contractors broke a water main outside Te Puna School on Te Puna Road at about 9.15am.

Water is off in Te Puna after workmen hit a pipe outside Te Puna school. Photo: File.

Water is expected to be back on shortly after midday, the Western Bay of Plenty District Council reports.

A second break occurred to a watermain north of Wolseley Road, near State Highway 2. This is affecting residents on Wolseley Road and some surrounding properties.

Contractors hope to restore water to those affected areas later today.

Earlier, school principal Neil Towersey confirmed that the school's water supply had been cut off and he is unsure whether or not the school will have to close.

When contacted he said the water tanker solution was an option that would prevent the school from having to close for the day.

"We are certainly hoping that's not going to happen because that puts a lot of people out, but these things happen," says Neil.

Parents are advised to keep an eye on the school's Facebook page for further information.

A Te Puna resident who rang SunLive's 0800 news line says: "I haven't even got enough to splash my face, and I could murder a coffee, but we simply don't have the water."