Stormwater

Wai Āwhā

Stormwater is rainwater that falls onto land and buildings, runs into gutters and downpipes, soaks into the ground or runs off hard surfaces and into waterways or to land.

Stormwater is not wastewater – in fact, it is illegal for stormwater to be intentionally put into the wastewater system. If this happens it can result in overloading of the wastewater system.

Our stormwater system is made up of a network of pipelines and natural waterways that collect water from run-off as a result of rain and carry it to rivers and creeks around Masterton.

Rainwater at home

Unwanted rainwater from the roof of your home should be channelled to a soak pit on the property. In normal circumstances it should not be directed to the roadside gutter.

It is illegal to direct stormwater into the wastewater system.

Caring for our waterways

Unlike wastewater, stormwater doesn't get treated at a treatment plant, so whatever goes into the drain will end up in the nearest stream or river. Pollution from stormwater can affect waterways but there are some simple things you can do to help.

Washing your car

We all like to have our cars looking clean but do we look where the detergent and water goes to?  If you have access to some lawn, why not wash your car on this?  The lawn and the soil beneath filter the dirt and wash liquid and this reduces the problem of stream pollution.

Wind-blown paper and rubbish

Litter left on the roadway will eventually find its way into streams or waterways.  This applies also to loose paper in its many forms, from mailbox drops to tossing of cigarette butts and food wraps from cars. Plastic waste can also be a hazard. Sometimes litter comes from insecure loads on the way to the resource recovery park. Make sure that loads are properly tied down so the rubbish does not come adrift.

Paints

When you have finished a paint job, washing brushes can lead to waterway pollution. Seek advice from your paint shop about how to wash brushes without polluting the environment. Leftover paint can be taken to resource recovery parks, rather than emptied into drains or sewers.