Wellington's Moa Point wastewater treatment plant has been shut down and staff evacuated from the site, after an equipment failure flooded multiple floors.
Untreated wastewater is spewing into the sea and that may continue for some time, Wellington Water chief executive Pat Dougherty said.
"This is a serious situation and we anticipate the plant will be shut down for an extended period," he said.
It could take months to repair the damaged equipment, he told reporters a press conference.
He said the plant's lower floors had completely flooded when, during heavy rain on Tuesday night, wastewater backed up into the outfall pipeline, and then got into the work site.
Photo: Samuel Ril
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