1% - Waikato District Council

61StormwaterWhat We DoStrategic focusTo maintain our current stormwaterinfrastructure to protect our environment fromstorm damage and runoff, and address anygrowth-driven projectsWaikato district’s widely diverse makeup of rural land and urbandevelopment brings its own challenges. We have industries ranging fromfarming and agriculture, mining and energy production to quarrying. Oururban centres support residential living and small businesses. All of thesebring their own specific demands including how we collect and disposeof stormwater runoff.And as we experience more growth and development, how we managethis is increasingly important, especially because we have specificobjectives to protect and maintain our natural resources and achievea sustainable district.The controls and infrastructure we have now, and plan to develop in thefuture, are designed to reduce the impact of our urban development andsubdivision and protect the natural features and waterways we value.For Waikato district to continue to grow and thrive, we need to attractnew business and industry, and provide our town centres with theservices and infrastructure to support their development.Our stormwater infrastructure plays an important part in beingsustainable, supporting growth and ensuring a safe and healthycommunity, by protecting property and land from storm damageand reducing the harmful effects that runoff can have on our harboursand waterways.Apart from maintaining the stormwater pipe networks, we also monitorstormwater quality. We also collect and dispose of stormwater in Huntly,Ngaruawahia, Te Kauwhata, Meremere, Raglan, Te Kowhai, Pokenoand Tuakau. In Raglan, we are planning a major upgrade of the town’sstormwater system.Similarly for Tamahere, as part of its Structure Plan, we are upgrading thestormwater system to deal with the runoff from the increased growth inthe area.Stormwater control is not just for urban areas; a total of 45 ruraldrainage networks were operated and maintained by rural drainagedistrict committees until recently. By July 2012, the council will havehanded over responsibility to the Waikato Regional Council. The pumpsfor the rural drainage networks are operated and maintained by WaikatoRegional Council.We have comprehensive management plans and discharge monitoringprogrammes, as well as catchment management plans required understormwater discharge consents. Business continuity plans and emergencymanagement capabilities are also being improved. Monitoring test resultsbetween October 2010 and September 2011 show our stormwaterquality across the district is all fully compliant with consents.Strategic Direction ContributionsPrimarySecondary