Photo: RNZ / Samuel RillstoneThe flooding of the Moa Point sewage treatment plant damaged its ''heart and nervous system", Wellington Water says. The catastrophic failure of the plant led to the significant, months-long discharge of untreated wastewater off Wellington's South Coast. In its latest update about the breakdown, Wellington Water said the February flooding of the plant damaged critical mechanical equipment, ''...including the odour treatment, sludge pumping and aeration equipment. Electrical damage included the PLC (Programmable Logic Controller), MCC (Motor Control Centre) systems, control instruments and cabling — essentially the heart and nervous system of the treatment plant.'' The plant's failure continues to see untreated sewage discharged into the sea, almost two months since its breakdown.

Source: Otago Daily Times April 03, 2026 09:23 UTC