Waimakariri District Council

Reducing Pollution Focus Of Stormwater Environmental Report

Cost effective solutions for reducing the effects of stormwater pollutants on the Waimakariri District¹s waterways are identified in an environmental report released today.

The Waimakariri District Council¹s report on protection from the environmental impacts of urban stormwater, looks at the environmental effects of stormwater on the Waimakariri District¹s rivers and streams and what options residents have for protecting against the pollution.

The study is part of the Stormwater Management Project, which is looking at a long term strategy for managing stormwater in Kaiapoi, Woodend and Rangiora.

"From talking to people in the community we know that they are concerned about two areas; flooding protection and environmental quality," says Drainage Asset Manager Trevor Minchington.

"The previous reports we have done focused on protecting homes and properties from flooding. This report looks specifically at what environmental effects our stormwater has on our waterways and what we can do to protect it from these effects."

Permanently wet stormwater treatment ponds, which filter the sediment and other contaminants from stormwater are the most effective solution says Design Engineer Rob Kerr.

"These ponds although the most effective can¹t always be used because of the limited space available in some areas, so in the report we have identified a number of options."

The study has also found that the same amount of suspended solids from Rangiora stormwater enters the Cam River as from the Rangiora Sewage Treatment Plant.

"These findings should not detract from the importance of the sewage disposal issues facing our district, but they are important in telling us that stormwater is also a significant contributor to the degradation of our waterways," says Drainage Asset Manager Trevor Minchington.

"Nearly as much faecal contaminants come from the stormwater as from the sewage. This information tells us that both issues, stormwater and sewage, need to be considered when we work out the best way to protect our waterways."

The report also outlines a number of options for cleaning the stormwater and restoring urban streams. Some of these options also address the flood protection issues.

"Protection from flooding and protection of our environment can cost a lot of money. That¹s why we need to balance the importance of protecting properties against flooding with protecting our waterways from the effects of stormwater along with the other demands of our community."

For a copy of the report get in touch with the Waimakariri District Council or download it from the council website at www.waimakariri.govt.nz.

Ends

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