A massive sewage leak in Wellington, New Zealand's capital, has caused an environmental disaster. Heavy rain flooded the Moa Point wastewater treatment plant, leading to untreated sewage spilling into waters off the south coast. About 70 million litres of raw sewage leaked, according to Wellington Water CEO Pat Dougherty, who said he was “at a loss” to explain the failure. The outfall pipe, which normally handles treated wastewater, broke down, forcing sewage into a shorter pipe that empties directly into the sea. Wellington mayor Andrew Little called it a “catastrophic failure.” Residents are told not to enter the water, gather seafood, or walk dogs on beaches for safety. On Friday, partial repairs allowed pumping of 900 litres per second through the main pipeline, but during busy times the short pipe must still be used, increasing risks. The company stressed that untreated wastewater still poses a public health threat. Local businesses feel the pain; Dive Wellington’s owner reported canceled bookings and damage to their reputation. Environmental experts, like Shane Geange from the Department of Conservation, warned the spill severely threatens marine life and public health. Authorities are working to assess how far the pollution has spread. Repairs to fix the crisis could take months, leaving Wellington's waters at risk for now.