Users of a geothermal bore found themselves without hot water this morning after scheduled maintenance resulted in bubbles and steam billowing from a motel driveway.

Ambassador Thermal Motel manager Johns Jose told Local Democracy Reporting the bore it shares with four other premises was scheduled for its yearly maintenance on Thursday.

Jose says work began at about 9am on the production bore, but he understands there was a change in pressure and water started bubbling from the reinjection bore - the one closest to the footpath - and steam rose into the air.

“All of a sudden something happened and it just blasted.”

None of the premises had water and Jose says they were waiting to hear what needed to be done for it to be fixed.

Lots of passers-by stopped to look at the spectacle, including Jarrod Mexted and Emma Delitala.

Mexted says it was “a uniquely Rotorua problem.”

“We drove past and saw all the steam coming out and we’re like, ‘oh, that looks exciting’.”

A Rotorua Lakes Council spokesperson says a private geothermal bore at the motel had failed.

“Council’s geothermal advisor is on-site to ensure public safety in the vicinity.

“Geothermal drilling contractors have arrived and are working to resolve the matter as quickly as possible.”

The footpath was closed from about 11.45am.

LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.