Fecal matter in sea spray on a home on Wellington's Esplanade. "It's residue from all that sewage that's floating up and down the coast. And how can we have the head of Wellington Water, Nick Leggett, just resign and think he's just going to walk away from this? Photo: RNZChris said he would be billing Wellington Water for his time washing the houses if the toxic sea spray continues to plague the coast. Wellington Water was still unsure what caused the Moa Point failure and how long the plant would be out of action.

Source: Otago Daily Times February 19, 2026 21:22 UTC