Results of water sampling following incident at Moa Point treatment plant

Wellington Water has released the results of water sampling taken on Friday 20 February, between 10:25am and 1pm, around the Moa Point Wastewater Treatment Plant short outfall pipe and southern coast beaches. 

There will be a more substantive operational update on work being done at Moa Point on Monday morning. 

Key points 

• We are continuing to publish daily water sampling results from testing points around the south coast.
• Public health advice has not changed at this stage and is unlikely to change over the weekend.  
• Keeping people safe is our number one priority, and so public health officials recommend people follow the current advice to avoid getting sick.
• Avoid swimming, diving, gathering or eating kaimoana along the south coast.
• Wellington Water will continue to conduct water sampling and provide this information to the public as well as public health authorities to inform health advice. 

Additional context: 

• Sampling provides a snapshot of water conditions. Results can vary significantly, even across samples taken in close proximity of time or location. That’s why we can’t draw conclusions about current conditions from one day’s data.
• Moa Point wastewater treatment plant continues to discharge screened, but untreated, wastewater into the environment via the long outfall pipe, and the short outfall, which isn’t screened, is likely to be used during rainfall.
• Water sampling results are only one component used to assess the overall public health risk. Wellington Water is working with Wellington City Council, Greater Wellington Regional Council, Health NZ and technical experts to regularly review this guidance. 
• There is no evidence to suggest the discharge from Moa Point Treatment Plant is reaching the inner harbour.  
• LAWA remains the best source of information for safe swimming at beaches outside the rāhui area: www.lawa.org.nz.  

Wellington Water has released the results of water sampling taken on Wednesday 18 February, between 2:00pm and 4:30pm, around the Moa Point Wastewater Treatment Plant short outfall pipe and southern coast beaches. 

Key points

• With the heavy rain past, and no usage of the short outfall, bacterial levels in the water have reduced again. 
• The results over the past few days reaffirm why the standard public health advice is to avoid swimming for 48 hours after heavy rainfall across the whole harbour. 
• Routine monitoring of other Wellington beaches displayed on LAWA that was undertaken on 17 February showed high levels of enterococcus across most beaches in the harbour. This is typical after heavy storms. For historical sampling results, visit www.lawa.org.nz and click on “Why this status?” for specific sites. 
• Public health advice has not changed at this stage. People are advised to avoid swimming, diving, gathering or eating kaimoana along the south coast. 
• Keeping people safe is our number one priority, and so public health officials recommend people follow the current advice to avoid getting sick. 
• There are community concerns about sea spray on houses and other surfaces. Any contamination from sea spray is expected to pose a very low health risk because bugs that cause illness are diluted quickly in the environment and do not survive long on dry surfaces. UV in sunlight is a natural disinfectant.  
• Testing of houses, cars, windows or soil is not currently recommended by public health, as it is not considered useful for assessing health risk.  
• As bacteria are always present in the environment around us, the best protection is to wash and dry hands regularly, especially before preparing or eating food, and after outdoor activities. 
• Wellington Water will continue to conduct water sampling and provide this information to the public as well as public health authorities to inform health advice.

Additional context

• Sampling provides a snapshot of water conditions. Results can vary significantly, even across samples taken in close proximity of time or location. That’s why we can’t draw conclusions about current conditions from one day’s data. 
• Moa Point wastewater treatment plant continues to discharge screened, but untreated, wastewater into the environment via the long outfall pipe, and the short outfall, which isn’t screened, is likely to be used during rainfall.
• Water sampling results are only one component used to assess the overall public health risk. Wellington Water is working with Wellington City Council, Greater Wellington Regional Council, Health NZ and technical experts to regularly review this guidance. 
• There is no evidence to suggest the discharge from Moa Point Treatment Plant is reaching the inner harbour. 
• LAWA remains the best source of information for safe swimming at beaches outside the rāhui area. 

Wellington Water has released the results of water sampling taken on Tuesday 17 February, between 11.00am and 2.00pm, around the Moa Point Wastewater Treatment Plant short outfall pipe and southern coast beaches.

Key points  

• As expected, due to the heavy rain in Wellinton on Monday 16 February, our most recent water sampling results (taken on Tuesday 17 February) show that Enterococcus (bacteria) levels have increased.  
• Public health advice remains the same: it is strongly recommended for the public stay out of the water on the South coast of Wellington. Do not collect kai moana. 
• We will continue to conduct water sampling and provide this information to the public as well as public health authorities to inform health advice. 

*Sampling results have not been released since Tuesday 17 February. This is because sampling did not take place on Monday 16 February for health and safety reasons (with the recent storm passing). Sampling resumed Tuesday 17 February, with our sampling results published today.  

Additional context: 

• Sampling provides a snapshot of water conditions. Results can vary significantly even across samples taken in close proximity of time or location.  
• That is why we cannot draw conclusions about current conditions from one day’s data. 
• In addition, Moa Point wastewater treatment plant continues to discharge screened, but untreated, wastewater into the environment via the long outfall pipe. 
• Given these factors, the risk to public health from swimming, surfing, boating or gathering and eating kai moana remains too unpredictable to change the current guidance.   
• Water sampling results are only one component used to assess the overall public health risk. Wellington Water is working with Wellington City Council, Greater Wellington Regional Council, Health NZ and technical experts to regularly review this guidance.  
• Keeping people safe is our number one priority, and so public health officials recommend people follow the current advice to avoid getting sick. 
• There is no evidence to suggest the discharge from Moa Point Treatment Plant is reaching the inner harbour. 
• LAWA remains the best source of information for safe swimming at beaches outside the rāhui area. 
• Avoid swimming for at least 2-3 days after heavy or prolonged rain, even for sites that have good water quality. 

Wellington Water has released the results of water sampling taken on Sunday 15 February, between 8.30am and 11.00am, around the Moa Point Wastewater Treatment Plant short outfall pipe and southern coast beaches. 

Key points  for 17 February

Our most recent water sampling results (taken on Sunday, 15 February) show that Enterococcus (bacteria) levels remain relatively low overall, with one outlier located close to the short outfall. 

There is no significant change from yesterday’s results. 

Our advice remains the same: We strongly recommend the public stay out of the water on the South coast of Wellington. Do not collect kai moana. 

Note: No sample results available for Moa Pt - #4 Houghton Bay West and Mahanga Bay, as sampling did not take place at these locations on Sunday, 15 February. 

*Sampling results weren’t released on Wednesday 18 February. This is because sampling did not take place on Monday, 16 February for health and safety reasons (with the recent storm passing). Sampling resumed Tuesday 17 February, with sampling results published on Thursday 19 February. 

Additional context: 

• Sampling provides a snapshot of water conditions. Results can vary significantly even across samples taken in close proximity of time or location.  
• That is why we cannot draw conclusions about current conditions from one day’s data. 
• In addition, Moa Point wastewater treatment plant continues to discharge screened, but untreated, wastewater into the environment via the long outfall pipe. 
• Given these factors, the risk to public health from swimming, surfing, boating or gathering and eating kai moana remains too unpredictable to change the current guidance.   
• Water sampling results are only one component used to assess the overall public health risk. Wellington Water is working with Wellington City Council, Greater Wellington Regional Council, Health NZ and technical experts to regularly review this guidance.  
• Keeping people safe is our number one priority, and so public health officials recommend people follow the current advice to avoid getting sick. 
• There is no evidence to suggest the discharge from Moa Point Treatment Plant is reaching the inner harbour. 
• LAWA remains the best source of information for safe swimming at beaches outside the rāhui area. 
• Avoid swimming for at least 2-3 days after heavy or prolonged rain, even for sites that have good water quality. 

Wellington Water has released the results of water sampling taken on Saturday 14 February, between 8.00am and 11.20am, around the Moa Point Wastewater Treatment Plant short outfall pipe and southern coast beaches. 

Sampling will not be taking place today due to the health and safety risk however this will recommence when possible.  

We will continue to sample and publish results until further notice. 

Key points for 16 February  

• Discharge from the short outfall bypasses the screening process, meaning the discharge would include solid material such as wipes and period products. It would also mean wastewater is entering the ocean much closer to shore.
• The combination of rain and strong southerly winds may increase the likelihood of untreated wastewater being pushed towards the shoreline.
• As expected, due to the weather conditions, we are starting to see some high levels of Enterococcus (bacteria) in the sampling results.
• Rain effects the water quality across all of Wellington due to discharge from the rivers which are affected by pollutants from rural and urban run-off.
• Frequently asked questions regarding sea spray have been answered by public health officials, and are available on our website please scroll down to the Public Health FAQs section.
• The sampling results from Sunday 15 February will be available Tuesday 17 February, these will provide more information regarding any changes which may have taken place due to the weather.
• Please note, Owhiro Bay sampling results are not related to the Moa Point discharge incident. These elevated levels reflect ongoing variable quality in the Owhiro Stream, please refer to existing warning on LAWA website.
• Testing for harmful bacteria in seawater takes time. Samples have to be grown in a laboratory for a minimum of 24 hours in order to be accurately measured, and those results need to be reviewed so they are as reliable as possible to inform decisions about public health.
• Sampling provides a snapshot of water conditions. Results can vary significantly even across samples taken in close proximity of time or location. 
• That is why we cannot draw conclusions about current conditions from one day’s data.
• In addition, Moa Point wastewater treatment plant continues to discharge screened, but untreated, wastewater into the environment via the long outfall pipe.
• Given these factors, the risk to public health from swimming, surfing, boating or gathering and eating kai moana remains too unpredictable to change the current guidance.   
• Water sampling results are only one component used to assess the overall public health risk. Wellington Water is working with Wellington City Council, Greater Wellington Regional Council, Health NZ and technical experts to regularly review this guidance. 
• Keeping people safe is our number one priority, and so public health officials recommend people follow the current advice to avoid getting sick.
• There is no evidence to suggest the discharge from Moa Point Treatment Plant is reaching the inner harbour.
• LAWA remains the best source of information for safe swimming at beaches outside the rāhui area.
• Avoid swimming for at least 2-3 days after heavy or prolonged rain, even for sites that have good water quality. 

Wellington Water provide sampling results to Regional Public Health and Greater Wellington, who are responsible for public health and water quality guidance. These results were taken on Friday 13 February, between 10am and 1.15pm, around the Moa Point Wastewater Treatment Plant short outfall pipe and southern coast beaches.

Wellington Water will continue to sample and publish results daily until further notice. 

Key points for 15 February  

• As expected, due to the weather conditions, we are starting to see some high levels of Enterococcus (bacteria) in the sampling results
• Rain affects the water quality across all of Wellington.
• Due to the effects rain has on coastal areas, please continue to follow the advice from LAWA to not swim for two days following rainfall.
• The incoming weather is creating some concern due to the combination of rain and strong southerly winds which may increase the likelihood of untreated wastewater being pushed towards the shoreline.
• Refer to the public health frequently asked questions on our website, provided by public health officials, if you have any concerns regarding sea spray. 
• We are watching the next few days’ sampling results to better understand the effects from the weather. 
• The sampling results from Sunday 15 February will be available Tuesday 17 February; these will provide more information regarding any changes which may have taken place due to the weather. 
• Due to the effects rain has on coastal areas, please continue to follow the advice from LAWA to not swim for two days following rainfall. 
• Please note, Owhiro Bay sampling results are not related to the Moa Point discharge incident. These elevated levels reflect ongoing variable quality in the Owhiro Stream, please refer to existing warning on LAWA website. 
• Testing for harmful bacteria in seawater takes time. Samples are grown in a laboratory for a minimum of 24 hours in order to be accurately measured, and those results need to be reviewed so they are as reliable as possible to inform decisions about public health. 
• Sampling provides a snapshot of water conditions. Results can vary significantly even across samples taken in proximity of time or location. 
• That is why we cannot draw conclusions about current conditions from one day’s data. 
• Heavy rainfall is likely to lead to some wastewater flow from the short outfall. This would bypass the screening process, meaning the discharge would include solid material such as wipes and period products. It would also mean wastewater is entering the ocean much closer to shore. 

Wellington Water has released the results of water sampling taken on Thursday 12 February, between 9.30am and 1.00pm, around the Moa Point Wastewater Treatment Plant short outfall pipe and southern coast beaches.

There has been no discharge from the short outfall pipe since 9pm, Thursday 5 February.

We will continue to sample and publish results daily until further notice.

• The incoming weather is creating some concern due to the combination of rain and strong southerly winds which may increase the likelihood of untreated wastewater being pushed towards the shoreline.
• Refer to the public health frequently asked questions if you have any concerns regarding sea spray.
• We are watching the next few days sampling results to better understand the effects from the weather.
• The sampling results from Saturday 14 February will be available Monday 16 February, these will provide more information regarding any changes which may have taken place due to the weather.
• Due to the effects rain has on coastal areas, please continue to follow the advice from LAWA to not swim for two days following rain fall.
• Please note, Owhiro Bay sampling results are not related to the Moa Point discharge incident. These elevated levels reflect ongoing variable quality in the Owhiro Stream, please refer to existing warning on LAWA website.
• Testing for harmful bacteria in seawater takes time. Samples have to be grown in a laboratory for a minimum of 24 hours in order to be accurately measured, and those results need to be reviewed so they are as reliable as possible to inform decisions about public health.
• Sampling provides a snapshot of water conditions. Results may vary significantly even across samples taken in close proximity of time or location.
• That is why we cannot draw conclusions about current conditions from one day’s data.
• In addition, Moa Point wastewater treatment plant continues to discharge screened, but untreated, wastewater into the environment via the long outfall pipe.
• Rainfall is forecast over the weekend, which may is likely to result in a discharge from the short outfall. This would bypass the screening process, meaning the discharge would include solid material such as wipes and period products. It would also mean wastewater is entering the ocean much closer to shore.
• Given these factors, the risk to public health from swimming, surfing, boating or gathering and eating kai moana remains too unpredictable to change the current guidance.
• Water sampling results are only one component used to assess the overall public health risk. Wellington Water is working with Wellington City Council, Greater Wellington Regional Council, Health NZ and technical experts to regularly review this guidance. 
• Keeping people safe is our number one priority, and so public health officials recommend people follow the current advice to avoid getting sick.
• There is no evidence to suggest the discharge from Moa Point Treatment Plant is reaching the inner harbour. 
• LAWA remains the best source of information for safe swimming at beaches outside the rāhui area.

Wellington Water has released the results of water sampling taken on Wednesday 11 February, between 10.00am and 1.30pm, around the Moa Point Wastewater Treatment Plant short outfall pipe and southern coast beaches. 

There has been no discharge from the short outfall pipe since 9pm, Thursday 5 February. 

We will continue to sample and publish results daily until further notice. 

Key points for 13 February  

• The incoming weather is creating some concern due to the combination of rain and strong southerly winds which could significantly increase the likelihood of untreated wastewater being pushed towards the shoreline. 
• We are watching the next few days sampling results to better understand the effects from the weather. 
• The sampling results from Friday 13 February will be available Sunday 15 February, these will provide more information regarding any changes which may have taken place due to the weather. 
• Due to the effects rain has on coastal areas, please continue to follow the advice from LAWA to not swim for two days following rain fall. 
• Please note, Owhiro Bay sampling results are not related to the Moa Point discharge incident. These elevated levels reflect ongoing variable quality in the Owhiro Stream, please refer to existing warning on LAWA website. 
• Testing for harmful bacteria in seawater takes time. Samples have to be grown in a laboratory for a minimum of 24 hours in order to be accurately measured, and those results need to be reviewed so they are as reliable as possible to inform decisions about public health. 
• Sampling provides a snapshot of water conditions. Results can vary significantly even across samples taken in close proximity of time or location.  
• That is why we cannot draw conclusions about current conditions from one day’s data. 
• In addition, Moa Point wastewater treatment plant continues to discharge screened, but untreated, wastewater into the environment via the long outfall pipe. 
• Rainfall is forecast over the weekend, which is likely to result in a discharge from the short outfall. This would bypass the screening process, meaning the discharge would include solid material such as wipes and period products. It would also mean wastewater is entering the ocean much closer to shore. 
• Given these factors, the risk to public health from swimming, surfing, boating or gathering and eating kai moana remains too unpredictable to change the current guidance.   
• Water sampling results are only one component used to assess the overall public health risk. Wellington Water is working with Wellington City Council, Greater Wellington Regional Council, Health NZ and technical experts to regularly review this guidance.  
• Keeping people safe is our number one priority, and so public health officials recommend people follow the current advice to avoid getting sick. 
• There is no evidence to suggest the discharge from Moa Point Treatment Plant is reaching the inner harbour. 
• LAWA remains the best source of information for safe swimming at beaches outside the rāhui area. 

Wellington Water has released the results of water sampling taken on Monday 9 February, between 10:30am and 2:00pm, around the Moa Point Wastewater Treatment Plant short outfall pipe and southern coast beaches.

There has been no discharge from the short outfall pipe since 9pm, Thursday 5 February.

We will continue to sample and publish results daily until further notice. 

Key points for 11 February

• Please note, the Owhiro Bay sampling results are not related to the Moa Point discharge incident. These results reflect the ongoing contamination in the Owhiro Stream and low tide sample.  
• Rainfall is forecast for the end of this week, which is likely to result in a discharge from the short outfall. 
• Public health officials strongly advise against gathering shellfish or kai moana on the south coast beaches. Shellfish remain contaminated for weeks after exposure to wastewater.   
• Public health officials continue to caution people against visiting the south coast beaches, swimming, kayaking, or otherwise coming into contact with sea water or spray. 
• Water sampling results are only one component used to assess the overall public health risk. Wellington Water is working with Wellington City Council, Greater Wellington Regional Council, Health NZ and technical experts to regularly review this guidance. 
• Tides, rain and other weather conditions can all significantly impact the results, and changes can occur quickly. The weather conditions over the past week (no rain and absence of a strong southerly) were very favourable in terms of limiting the impact of the discharge outside the immediately affected area. 
• While Moa Point Wastewater Treatment Plant continues to discharge untreated wastewater to the ocean, and there is a high probability of the short outfall being used in wet weather, the risk to public health remains high. 
• There is no evidence to suggest the discharge from Moa Point Treatment Plant is reaching the inner harbour. 
• LAWA remains the best source of information for safe swimming at beaches outside the rāhui area.

Wellington Water has released the results of water sampling taken on Sunday 8 February, between 10:30am and 2:00pm, around the Moa Point treatment plant short outfall pipe and southern coast beaches. 

There has been no discharge from the short outfall pipe since 9pm, Thursday 5 February. 

We will continue to sample and publish results daily until further notice. 

Key points for 10 February 

• Results indicate that the untreated wastewater initially discharged from the short outfall has dispersed from the area around Tarakena Bay. 
• Rainfall is forecast for the end of this week, which is likely to result in a discharge from the short outfall. 
• Public health officials strongly advise against gathering shellfish or kai moana on the south coast beaches. Shellfish remain contaminated for weeks after exposure to wastewater.   
• Public health officials continue to caution people against visiting the south coast beaches, swimming, kayaking, or otherwise coming into contact with sea water or spray. 
• Water sampling results are only one component used to assess the overall public health risk. Wellington Water is working with Wellington City Council, Greater Wellington Regional Council, Health NZ and technical experts to regularly review this guidance. 
• Tides, rain and other weather conditions can all significantly impact the results, and changes can occur quickly. The weather conditions over the past week (no rain and absence of a strong southerly) were very favourable in terms of limiting the impact of the discharge outside the immediately affected area. 
• While Moa Point Treatment Plant continues to discharge untreated wastewater to the ocean, and there is a high probability of the short outfall being used in wet weather, the risk to public health remains high. 
• There is no evidence to suggest the discharge from Moa Point Treatment Plant is reaching the inner harbour. 
• LAWA remains the best source of information for safe swimming at beaches outside the rāhui area.  

Wellington Water has released the results of water sampling taken on Saturday 7 February, between 9:30am and 2:00pm, around the Moa Point treatment plant short outfall pipe and southern coast beaches. 

These samples were taken while the tide was going out and in stable weather conditions, which impacts the results.  

There was no discharge from the short outfall pipe at this time. 

We will continue to sample and publish results daily until further notice. 

Key points for 9 February 

• Results remain consistent across the weekend with localised evidence of contamination at south coast beaches, except for the area immediately surrounding the short outfall pipe. 
• There is no evidence to suggest the discharge from Moa Point Treatment Plant is reaching the inner harbour. 
• Test results are one component in assessing the overall public health risk. Expert opinions and other factors are included in the decision making process. 
• As long as Moa Point Treatment Plant is discharging untreated wastewater into the ocean, and there is a high probability of the short outfall being used in wet weather, the risk to public health remains high. 
• Public health officials continue to advise people to stay off south coast beaches, not to collect or eat shellfish / kai moana from the affected coastal waters, avoid the area around Tarakena Bay altogether, and avoid contact with sea water or spray. 
• LAWA remains the best source of information for safe swimming at beaches outside the rāhui area.

• As expected, we are continuing to see high results from sampling areas close to the short outfall pipe, which was still discharging at the time the samples were taken. 
• There is no indication from these results that untreated wastewater from Moa Point had reached the inner harbour (Eastbourne, Petone, CBD, Kilbirnie) at the time these samples were taken. We do not believe there is any need to extend the sampling area at this time. 
• Ōwhiro Bay and Mahanga Bay have returned to low levels of contamination, confirming that the previous results were more likely connected with rain events 
• For guidance on beaches outside this area, please see the LAWA website. 
• We are reporting levels of enterococcus only, as these are the most reliable indicator of recent faecal contamination and correlate best with human health risks. 
• We want to emphasise that these results are a snapshot, and do not reflect current conditions. Bacterial conditions in seawater can change rapidly depending on tide, wind, rain and other factors. 
• The warning for south coast beaches includes avoiding water sports such as kayaking, boating, and parasailing. Exposure to wet gear and contaminated sea spray can pose a risk to health. 

Wellington Water has released the results of water sampling taken on Friday 20 February, between 10:25am and 1pm, around the Moa Point Wastewater Treatment Plant short outfall pipe and southern coast beaches.

There will be a more substantive operational update on work being done at Moa Point on Monday morning.

Key points

• We are continuing to publish daily water sampling results from testing points around the south coast.
• Advice from Public Health has not changed at this stage and is unlikely to change over the weekend.
• Keeping people safe is our number one priority, and so public health officials recommend people follow the current advice to avoid getting sick.
• Avoid swimming, diving, gathering or eating kaimoana along the south coast.
• Wellington Water will continue to conduct water sampling and provide this information to the public as well as public health authorities to inform health advice. 

Additional context: 

• Sampling provides a snapshot of water conditions. Results can vary significantly, even across samples taken in close proximity of time or location. That’s why we can’t draw conclusions about current conditions from one day’s data.
• Moa Point wastewater treatment plant continues to discharge screened, but untreated, wastewater into the environment via the long outfall pipe, and the short outfall, which isn’t screened, is likely to be used during rainfall.
• Water sampling results are only one component used to assess the overall public health risk. Wellington Water is working with Wellington City Council, Greater Wellington Regional Council, Health NZ and technical experts to regularly review this guidance. 
• There is no evidence to suggest the discharge from Moa Point Treatment Plant is reaching the inner harbour.
• LAWA remains the best source of information for safe swimming at beaches outside the rāhui area.