Our stormwater system is designed to contain, channel and pipe rainfall and natural water runoff into rivers and sea. It is untreated and separate from the wastewater and sewage system.

Some key stormwater statistics in Tasman District include 15,481 property connections and 222 kilometres of piped stormwater network with 42 kilometres of maintained open drains and streams.

You can add into the equation more than 3,500 sumps, 3,208 manholes, and 11 detention dams, so as you can see there’s a lot to manage.

Our communities and the receiving environments are affected by stormwater discharges from our urban areas.

Our fresh water and marine waters are vital to the well-being of our communities and are one of the defining features of the Tasman District. These include streams, rivers, lakes, wetlands, aquifers and springs; all discharging into the coastal marine areas of the Waimea Inlet, Tasman Bay, Golden Bay and the West Coast.

Urbanisation and other changes in land use have led to increased stormwater runoff that contributes to flooding, loss of aquatic habitat and water quality issues. It also impacts on the ability to use water for amenity purposes and food gathering.

We must responsibly manage stormwater in a way that supports the environmental, social, cultural and economic well-being of current and future generations, and this all must be considered as we embrace Local Water Done Well.