Moa Point sewage discharge

Greater Wellington is responding in a number of ways to the incident at the Moa Point Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP), including undertaking a formal investigation. As the investigation is ongoing, we are unable to comment on any specifics including the discharge event or potential actions. This is to ensure the process remains impartial and evidence-based without influence. 

What is Greater Wellington’s main role in the response to the Moa Point incident? 

Greater Wellington operates across several distinct but related roles in relation to the incident at Moa Point Wastewater Treatment Plant. One of our statutory responsibilities as a council is being the environmental regulator.  

In direct response to the incident, we have activated a formal investigation and have multiple teams across our organisation working together as part of that investigation. 

What are the primary roles for Greater Wellington as a regulator? 

We issue resource consents for the activity (discharge of contaminants to water and air). 

We monitor compliance with the conditions of any consent granted – this is a strategic programme based on risk. Wastewater treatment plants are considered high risk and are actively monitored by us.  

We run a 24/7 incident response service – responding to ‘pollution incidents’ that are reported to us. Members of the public can ring 0800 496 734 to report incidents. 

We deal with any non-compliances/breaches found either through our compliance programme, or our incident response (noting that certain discharges are authorised through existing resource consents). 

Who is responsible for the Moa Point WWTP and what has been the recent compliance history? 

Wellington City Council hold resource consents (which include several consent conditions) for discharging contaminants to water and air from the Moa Point WWTP. Wellington Water maintains the Moa Point WWTP with operational support from Veolia. Wellington Water, Veolia and Wellington City Council as the consent holder are responsible for operating and maintaining the WWTP and ultimately ensuring it is compliant. 

We actively monitor compliance with the resource consent and its conditions for the Moa Point WWTP and issue annual compliance reports. These are published on the Wellington Water website at Moa Point Wastewater Treatment Plant under Consent Compliance Reports. 

Why are Greater Wellington not fixing the issue/What actions will you be taking? 

Greater Wellington does not have the authority to carry out the required works ourselves. 

If breaches are identified, we can use our enforcement tools to encourage, and in some cases direct, the operators and consent holder to get back into compliance.   

We are unable to comment on potential actions at this stage, as these will be determined by the outcome of our investigation. More information on our compliance monitoring and enforcement policy, including our enforcement ‘tools’ can be found here: 

Compliance Monitoring & Enforcement Policy

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What other Greater Wellington roles are involved in the response-based process?

Environmental and water quality monitoring

Greater Wellington independently monitors the environment, including coastal and marine water quality, plume assessment, odour, and ecological impacts such as effects on wildlife and public health indicators. This work informs both our regulatory response and public health advice and is separate from monitoring undertaken by Wellington Water as the consent holder. 

Coastal Marine Area (CMA)  

As the regional council, we are responsible for protecting and managing the coastal marine area. This includes advising public health officials on monitoring results and kaimoana (seafood) gathering risks and supporting warnings or access restrictions when required. 

Harbourmaster/maritime safety role

The Harbourmaster oversees navigational safety and maritime risk in affected coastal waters. While Greater Wellington does not operate the wastewater infrastructure, the Harbourmaster becomes involved where discharges may affect safe use of the harbour or nearby boat ramps. 

What action is being taken to minimise the impacts on marine and coastal environments?

Greater Wellington’s current priority is the investigation into this incident. This involves working closely with Wellington Water to ensure the response prevents and mitigates further environmental harm and protects public health from the impacts of the discharge.  

The findings of the investigation will guide any subsequent actions. 

Where can I find the latest information on public health warnings? 

The public are advised to stay away from beaches along the south coast. Keep out of the water, do not walk dogs on the beach or collect kai moana (seafood) from the area. This is due to untreated wastewater being discharged into the water. 

Please ensure you are following the guidance from Wellington Water and Wellington City Council.

Safe to swim information can be found at the LAWA website. 

If you find sick or dying animals, please follow Department of Conservation’s advice: Sick, injured or dead wildlife: Native animals. 

For all other environmental concerns and incidents please follow our reporting guidance here or call our incident hotline 0800 496 734.