Stormwater

Stormwater drain

What is Stormwater?

Stormwater is rainwater that falls to earth, runs off the surface into streams, waterways or underground aquifers and eventually ends up in the sea.

The contamination problem

In the early 1980's environmental monitoring programmes identified an accelerating degradation of the region's estuarine environments as a direct result of stormwater contaminants. These include:

• zinc from tyres and roofing material
• copper from vehicle brake pads
• oil, grease, fuel
• industrial and domestic chemicals and detergents.

The Auckland region's stormwater issues could cost the region several billion dollars to fix over the next 20 years. The ARC, Territorial Authorities, Local Network Operators and Watercare Services Limited are already investing a huge amount of effort and money in stormwater management, however a greater collective effort is required; and that is the aim of the Stormwater Action Plan.

Who is responsible for stormwater?

The Auckland Regional Council is responsible for identifying the environmental effects from stormwater and advocating regional solutions and management.

Territorial Authorities (TAs) and their Local Network Operators (LNOs) are responsible for managing stormwater outcomes and delivering, owning, managing and operating stormwater network assets such as pipes and stormwater treatment facilities.