Wellington Mayor Andrew Little says critical damage to the city's wastewater treatment plant couldn't come at a worse time.
Heavy rain flooded the building's lower floors causing sewage to leak into Tarakena Bay, writing off equipment and forcing the plant to shut down.
Wellington Water says it could take months to fix and urges people to stay off beaches along the south coast, and avoid collecting seafood.
He told Mike Hosking the failure appeared to be a “freak thing”, and since becoming mayor, nobody had ever indicated to him that the treatment plant was at risk.
He says there’s been ongoing investment in it, and they have contractors looking after all the rest.
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The Mike Hosking Breakfast