More sewage discharged into Wellington coastal waters

Screened sewage was discharged a few metres off the south coast of Wellington for an hour this evening.

The Moa Point Wastewater Treatment plant has been pumping millions of litres of untreated wastewater from a pipe about one kilometre into Cook Strait, since a catastrophic failure in February.

Wellington Water says due to heavy rainfall, untreated wastewater was discharged from the short outfall pipe into Tarakena Bay.

It said contaminated water was likely moving around the coastline.

Health New Zealand said people should avoid the water between Ōwhiro Bay and Breaker Bay for 48 hours after the shortfall has stopped discharging.