Stormwater

Stormwater is the water that runs off surfaces such as roads, driveways, footpaths and rooftops. It travels down gutters, into sumps and enters the stormwater network to be discharged into harbours and streams.

Stormwater is not the same as wastewater, which is anything that enters drains inside your home.

Blocked pipe or stormwater drain?

A blocked drain or drainage issues on your property is your responsibility to fix. You may need to contact your plumber to help solve the problem.

If you notice a blockage outside your property, please contact our team on 0800 492 452 or lodge a request through our online system.

Request a service

Some assets may also fall under the responsibility of Waikato Regional Council, NZ Transport/Waka Kotahi and KiwiRail.

Our stormwater network

Urban

Our stormwater network is comprised of 180.5 km of pipes and three pump stations. It would cost approximately $105 million to replace the stormwater assets. 

Our network is made up of a series of catch pits, open drains and ponds which collect and dispose of stormwater.

EnviroPods  have been installed into catch pits located in some recreational reserves, as well as in the main streets of Raglan, Huntly and Ngaaruawaahia. The EnviroPod  are designed as a filters to capture rubbish and pollutants within their mesh screens, preventing  materials getting into the stormwater system  and into downstream rivers and waterways. 

Rural

The district includes open drains which service our two rural drainage schemes: Tamahere and Travers Road. Some drainage schemes are also administered by the Waikato Regional Council. 

If you are a landowner in these areas, you have rights and responsibilities under the Land Drainage Act 1908.

Protecting our waterways from pollutants and waste

Stormwater is discharged into the sea and surrounding waterways. When stormwater is contaminated, the sea and waterways become polluted. 

What we put into the stormwater system will end up in our waterways (rivers, streams, lakes and the sea), which could harm aquatic life and animals that live there. This includes oil, mud, paint, cleaning detergents, cigarette butts, discarded plastic wraps, water bottles and other rubbish.

How you can help?

1. Do not hose chemicals that are used for cleaning concrete or washing your house into the stormwater catch pits.
2. Do no tip any commercial waste product into stormwater catch pits including oil and food waste.
3. Do not tip oil, mud, paint, cleaning detergents and other chemicals into stormwater catch pits.
4. Place litter in rubbish bins, as this helps to prevent blockages from rubbish material that enters into the stormwater pipe network and eventually ends up in our rivers and ocean.

Prevent network blockages

When certain objects are disposed inappropriately and enter the stormwater network, this can cause blockages and can create stormwater overflows, flooding and damage to the network and ultimately pollute our environment.

Below are some items that should not enter the stormwater system, you can help by disposing these items correctly to help protect our environment.

• Oils and greases
• Rubbish
• Baby wipes/disposable nappies
• Hygiene products
• Cleaning products/chemicals/paints
• Food scraps
• Paper and plastics
• Paint rinse water

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