The stormwater system is designed to contain, channel and pipe rainfall and natural water run off into rivers and sea. It is untreated, and separate from the wastewater/ sewage system.
Stormwater is of concern for two main reasons:
For a new stormwater connection or to change details, complete and return the Application Form.
Application Form - Wastewater, Stormwater or Drainage Connection (pdf 534 KB)
To report spills or pollution incidents phone the local Council (24 hrs): 03 543 8400 (Tasman) 03 546 0200 (Nelson).
Note: All of these chemicals are deadly to fish, whatever the dilution.
| Toxic | Very toxic | Extremely toxic |
|---|---|---|
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| How should I dispose of these? | How should I dispose of these? | How should I dispose of these? |
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Divert or sweep onto grass – the water can be filtered by plants and soil layers. |
Ensure it is well diluted and drain into a laundry sink or toilet (inside drains go to the sewage system). |
Ensure it is not leaking, seal in a suitable container and take it to your local resource recovery centre. For containers with residual chemicals follow the hazardous waste process. |
| * Disconnect your downpipes for any roof cleaning. |
* Check paint store websites for ways to clean paint brushes safely. |
*Seal off drains and divert onto garden. |
Water blasting and power washing may bring your house, paths, decks and patios up to a sparkling finish, but the process isn’t always the best for the environment.
Chemicals are often used in the washing process, but even biodegradable detergents pollute the environment and are not allowed to enter the stormwater system.
Contaminants can also be disturbed during the washing process and these too can be extremely harmful to the environment because the runoff tends to be far more concentrated than when it rains.
The problem is that when this dirty water enters the system it can end up in creeks and waterways and become a threat to wildlife.
As a landowner you are responsible for any work on your property, so even if you are using a contractor, you must ensure they know how to do the job properly.
You need to ensure that no contaminants enter the stormwater system through downpipes or drains by disconnecting downpipes and diverting water to unsealed ground, or by blocking drains with some sort of bung and then removing the wash-water once the work is done.
Block catchpit outfalls and use a pump or bucket to remove wash-water to unsealed ground or a container or drum. Alternatively, a vacuum truck can be called in to remove the wastewater.
The law is strict when protecting the environment, and there are hefty fines for breaching the Resource Management Act.
To put it simply, the drain is for rain!
Look at your roof, where do your downpipes go? They should connect to the stormwater system, not the sewer/wastewater system. If the downpipes from your roof connect into a gully trap, then you will need to re-direct it into the stormwater system.
A gully trap is a plumbing feature that should only receive wastewater from your kitchen, bathroom and laundry. The gully trap connects to the sewer (wastewater) network which takes wastewater to the treatment plant for treatment. The top or surround of the gully trap should be above ground level and partially covered to stop stormwater/rainwater and other foreign matter (such as landscaping bark) entering the wastewater network.
A good gully trap has covers and a high surround that stops rainwater going into the wastewater system during periods of heavy rainfall
A faulty gully trap will let rainwater into the sewer/wastewater system.
This diagram of a gully trap is from the New Zealand Building Code. The surrounds of the gully trap have to be 25mm above a paved surface or 100mm above an unpaved surface.
A sump is a stormwater feature that collects rainwater from external surfaces such as driveways and patios. The sump has to connect to the stormwater system, not the sewer/wastewater system.
The only way to test for a cross connection without calling a plumber or drain layer is to check for a foul odour that is stronger than a normal organic /vegetation smell.
If you are thinking about amending or changing the way stormwater flows or would like to know more about what contaminants may come from your site and what can be done to help the environment, please contact us.
Tasman District Council has a guide in place for audit purposes to show that the Council is carrying out practices that are environmentally sustainable and in accordance with the Resource Management Act. This guide can be used as an educational 'tool kit' to advance the sustainable management of waterways and wetlands.
Land disturbance, erosion and sediment control
Nelson Tasman Land Development Manual
Best Practice Guidelines Waterway Crossings (pdf 825 KB)
Our Streams and Homes Connected - Stormwater Run-off Pamphlet.pdf (pdf 2.7 MB)
Stormwater discharge consents are required under the Tasman Resource Management Plan generally on all subdivision applications with the following objectives:
The objectives and policies are covered under Sections 33 and 36 of the TRMP and meet the requirements of Section 15 of the Resource Management Act.
The Tasman Resource Management Plan Section 36.2.7 states:
Discharge of water into water is permitted, if:
Each zone in the district might have a different consideration when dealing with stormwater. Rules by zone are set out in the Tasman Resource Management Plan, alternatively you can refer to the Councils "best practice guide".
We manage stormwater activities across the district under 16 Urban Drainage Areas (UDAs) and one General Drainage Area (GDA).
Under the Nelson Tasman Land Development Manual 2020, building close to or over services is not permitted unless approved by the Engineering Manager.
Read more about the Nelson Tasman Land Development Manual.
Urban Drainage Areas are areas that either currently or in the future will receive large capital expenditure on stormwater improvements and have an established level of service for stormwater operations and maintenance.
The General Drainage Area is the remainder of the district, which is predominantly rural and receives a much lower level of stormwater services.
When stormwater planning, operations, maintenance, renewals and capital works need to be undertaken in any of the 15 urban areas, the work is paid for by all the ratepayers within the 15 urban areas.
The UDAs operate as a “club” where all ratepayers in the club pay the same rate per dollar of capital value of their properties for stormwater infrastructure required in urban settlements throughout the district.
This means that when stormwater planning, operations, maintenance, renewals and capital works need to be undertaken in any of the 15 urban areas, the work is paid for by all the ratepayers within the 15 urban areas.
Maintenance work carried out to existing open earth drains in the road margin is a permitted activity.
Also some drains are maintained by the Council where these are identified in the Council's Stormwater Activity Management Plan.
If you are unsure about your Roadside Drain or want more information, contact: Customer Services, Phone 03 543 8400
The Council does not permit new open drains to be constructed in the road margin.
However, new drainage systems may be permitted where these form an aesthetic feature of a new subdivision approved under a resource consent.
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