Moa Point Outfall Overflow Decision

Greater Wellington Regional Council has decided not to prosecute for repeated discharges from the Moa Point short outfall, following assurances from the Wellington City Council (WCC) and new plant operators United Water International (UWI).

Greater Wellington made the decision after reviewing the facts and taking legal advice on the incidents which occurred between June 2003 and April 2004.

Resource investigations manager John Sherriff says rather than prosecute the offender, Greater Wellington will work with the WCC to ensure that there are no more problems.

Our primary objective has been to ensure that the problems at the plant which have caused the discharges are permanently resolved. Our assessment is that a prosecution might not be successful and would not necessarily achieve the desired outcome. If anything, prosecution could divert time and resources away from fixing the problem. We believe we can achieve better outcomes by working with WCC and its contractor UWI to fix the problem, rather than entering into a costly and lengthy prosecution process.

WCC has shown a commitment to resolving the problem through developing an action plan, implementing measures to prevent further discharges and improving its sewer flow monitoring system, he says. WCC and the new operators of Moa Point, UWI, have also fronted up to the local community to explain what has happened, why, and what is being done to fix it.

Sherriff says defects in the pump infrastructure have been fixed, and pumping capacity now meets the contractual requirements. There hasnt been an overflow from the short outfall since early April, despite some significant rainfall events. Greater Wellington will continue monitoring Moa Point to ensure WCC meets its obligations.