The Council provides a network of pipelines and open drains that collect, convey and dispose of stormwater.

The Waimakariri District Council has responsibility for the following functions:

• Urban stormwater
• Rural drainage:  Council maintained drains can be viewed on the rural drainage areas map
• Water races: While not a drainage function, the Council also maintains a network of stockwater races throughout much of the rural area, for the purpose of providing stockwater to rural properties. These can be viewed on the water race map.

When talking about water, some common terms that are used include surface water, groundwater, wastewater and stormwater.

• Surface water is what we see in our rivers, lakes, streams, wetlands and estuaries
• Groundwater is the water that exists in aquifers beneath the ground. This is replenished by rainwater that travels through the soil
• Wastewater is the water that goes down drains from inside our house, after we do our washing, flush the toilet or have a bath
• Stormwater runs through a separate piped system from that of wastewater or across the ground - it doesn't end up in the sewer.

Managing Stormwater Runoff

An extensive system of open drains are in place for the treatment of stormwater in the larger urban areas of Rangiora, Kaiapoi and Pegasus. Smaller networks, with  no major treatment facilities, exist in areas such as Oxford, Woodend, Pines, Kairaki  and Waikuku.

Stormwater is discharged, untreated, into streams and rivers. That's why it's so important that it's as clean as possible. If contaminated stormwater pollutes rivers and streams, this can have a negative impact on aquatic life, the natural environment and public health. It can also limit recreational use of waterways.

Drainage Maintenance

The open drain network in rural and urban areas is maintained in accordance with the conditions of ECan consent CRC195065. This required the development of a Drainage Maintenance Management Plan.

The plan sets out how the Waimakariri District Council will work toward achieving sustainable drainage systems management. It also represents a shift from the traditional focus of drain maintenance only being about maintaining water capacity. While this remains a key objective, the plan includes a number of actions to redevelop Council drainage areas into more sustainable systems. Proposed design options are included that are intended to flush or reduce growth of aquatic weeds so that drainage areas can naturally self-clean and require less ongoing maintenance.

Maintenance Enquiries

Contact: Council's Land Drainage Engineer on 0800 965 468.

Stormwater Drainage and Watercourse Protection Bylaw 2024

The Council adopted its Stormwater Drainage and Watercourse Protection Bylaw 2024 on 1 October 2024 under the provisions of Section 145 of the Local Government Act 2002. The Bylaw comes into effect from 2 October 2024.

Please view the Stormwater Bylaw Reference page for guidance documents and other links to the Stormwater Drainage and Watercourse Protection Bylaw requirements and best practice material

Flooding

In an emergency always phone 111 and ask for the Fire Service

To report an issue contact Council's customer services team on 0800 965 468 or email office@wmk.govt.nz.

Drainage Advisory Groups

If you would like to be involved in your local community, being a member of a Drainage Advisory Group is a great way of meeting people and making a contribution to your District.

The Council has established a number of drainage and water advisory groups and the membership is reviewed on a three yearly cycle.  Nominations are sought for the following advisory groups:

• Clarkville Rural Drainage Advisory Group
• Central Rural Drainage Advisory Group
• Coastal Rural Drainage Advisory Group
• Ohoka Rural Drainage Advisory Group
• Oxford Rural Drainage Advisory Group
• Waimakariri Water Race Advisory Group

The rural drainage advisory groups generally cover the rural area of the District where rates exist for maintenance and capital projects. The Water Race Advisory Group is specifically to advise on the water race system in the central part of the District, and works in partnership with Waimakariri Irrigation Ltd.