![\"Moa](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/4MK1Q87_image_crop_112727.jpeg\")
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\nWellington Water’s Moa Point treatment plant (file photo).
\nPhoto: Wellington Water\n<\/p>\n
Wellington’s Moa Point wastewater treatment plant has been shut down and staff evacuated from the site, after an equipment failure flooded multiple floors.<\/p>\n
Untreated wastewater is being discharged into the sea and that may continue for some time, Wellington Water chief executive Pat Dougherty said.<\/p>\n
“This is a serious situation and we anticipate the plant will be shut down for an extended period,” he said.<\/p>\n
Dougherty strongly advised the public to stay away from south coast beaches, and said a r\u0101hui would be placed over the affected area.<\/p>\n
“We will have boots on the ground today, with our customer teams distributing information about public health and advice.<\/p>\n
“An environmental team will be undertaking water quality testing. More information will be provided at lunchtime today. This is a complex incident, and all necessary resources are being utilised,” he said.<\/p>\n
Dougherty said it was unacceptable.<\/p>\n
“We apologise to the public, local community and our iwi partners for the public health and environmental impact caused.”<\/p>\n
The mechanical failure began at 1am on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
Fire and emergency shift manager Murray Dunbar said three fire trucks responded to a fire alarm activation there about 12.40 am.<\/p>\n
The crews reported they were unable to access the lower building due to flooding and they were going to wait for a building representative to be contacted and respond, Dunbar said.<\/p>\n
The Moa Point problem followed two other wastewater discharge notices on Tuesday night, which were caused by heavy rain.<\/p>\n
Partially treated wastewater was discharged into Wellington’s Karori Stream at 10.45pm on Tuesday, which flows into the sea on the south coast.<\/p>\n
About half an hour before that, fully treated sewage was released at 10.18pm into Waiwhet\u016b Stream in Lower Hutt, which flows into the sea near Petone beach.<\/p>\n
Water monitoring body Land, Air, Water Aotearoa advised people to stay out of the sea for two or three days after heavy rain.<\/p>\n