Council was sentenced this week to a fine of $105,000 for breaching the Resource Management Act 1991 between April and October 2023.

The prosecution followed an extended period during which a faulty UV filter at the Waihou Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) was offline, resulting in partially treated wastewater being discharged into the Waiwhero Stream. While the discharge did not contain raw sewage, it exceeded the levels permitted under the plant’s resource consent.

Waikato Regional Council brought the prosecution, with MPDC pleading guilty at a hearing in the Huntly District Court on 1 October 2025.

“The care and protection of our environment is a core part of Council business,” says Council CEO, Manaia Te Wiata. “We sincerely apologise to those affected, including mana whenua, and acknowledge the significance of the Waitoa and Piako Rivers to the region and its people.”

“I want to assure the community that we take our environmental responsibilities seriously.” While the discharge occurred during winter—when environmental and public health impacts are typically lower—we accept that any breach of resource consent conditions is unacceptable, and that cumulative effects on waterways are a serious concern.

The discharge took place over several months, but that does not mean the issue was ignored. Staff were actively working to resolve the issue, with a contractor engaged, quotes approved, and regular follow-ups taking place. However, global supply delays and resourcing challenges significantly impacted the time taken to reinstate the UV disinfection system. The faulty UV unit was replaced in October 2023, and 12 months later Council completed a $1.7 million project to fully decommission the plant and divert all wastewater to the upgraded treatment facility in Te Aroha. This work eliminates the risk of similar discharges occurring in the future.

In addition to the infrastructure upgrades, we have implemented a district-wide SCADA monitoring system, allowing for faster issue detection, improved alarm notifications, and better remote management of wastewater systems.