Only Rain In The Stormwater Drains

A school project is helping to spread one of the Council’s important messages; don’t allow rubbish or any pollutants into our stormwater drains.

Springlands School pupils began the initiative, fixing “eco-blue Kokopu”, small blue plastic fish, above stormwater drains, reminding people why the drains need protecting from pollution. Waikawa Bay School has joined the campaign and Redwoodtown School is getting ready to take part.

Council environmental educator Ali Kay says many of our local ‘enviro-schools’ have already learned about the importance of our waterways so it would be terrific if they joined the campaign. The Council will provide schools with the materials; the eco-blue Kokopu plastic fish, plus stencil and materials for the fish logo and a map of their neighbourhood stormwater drains.

The purpose of stormwater drains is to remove surface water from our roads directly into our rivers – so we want to make sure that it’s only clean rainwater that is going into them.

In contrast, the wastewater drains take water out to the Waste Water Treatment area at Riverlands where it is processed before it is discharged to sea.

No matter whether the stormwater drain is outside your gate, in your backyard or on a large property, there should be no contaminated water going into it - so remember:

• Don’t wash your car next to a stormwater drain
• Don’t hose chemicals of any kind down these drains - no oils, grease or paint
• Don’t empty spa pools or swimming pools into stormwater drains
• Keep litter out of the drains.

Most of the surface flooding around town is caused when street grates are blocked by leaf debris or plastic and paper litter. Council contractors are responsible for keeping our streets clean but residents can help by sweeping out their gutters, especially when heavy rain is forecast.

Any schools wanting to take up the challenge can contact MDC Environmental Scientist Peter Hamill, phone 520 7400