This page provides guidance documents and other links to the Stormwater Drainage and Watercourse Protection Bylaw requirements and best practice material.
It is intended to be used by any party seeking approvals to undertake their activities in accordance with the Bylaw.
Please contact the Council’s Stormwater and Drainage team on 0800 965 468 if you require any further information in order to apply for approval for activities to be undertaken under the Bylaw.
Copies of the proposed Stormwater Drainage and Watercourse Protection Bylaw 2024, the Statement of Proposal including reasons for making this bylaw and the Officer’s Report to Council can be obtained at any Council Service Centre or Library during ordinary office hours, or downloaded here.
Required Information for Approvals under the Stormwater Drainage and Watercourse Protection Bylaw
This section includes “Pollution Prevention Plan Requirements”, “Spill Prevention and Spill Response Plan and Procedures” and “Stormwater Discharges from Contaminated Land Risk Asssessment”. These are all referenced as specific requirements under S9, S10 and S11 of the Bylaw for medium risk sites, high risk sites and for discharges from contaminated land.
The Pollution Prevention Plan shall include:
- A site assessment identifying all actual and potential sources of contaminant discharge, including surface coatings; type of contaminants and quantities or concentrations of stored chemicals;
- Suitably-scaled plans showing the site layout, boundaries, all stormwater, land drainage and wastewater drainage including the point of connection or discharge to the Council stormwater, land drainage or wastewater systems, relevant buildings and outdoor spaces (open or roofed) including identification of their use, and locations of any installed or planned treatment devices or systems;
- Identification of any structural and procedural controls in accordance with best management practice(s) proposed to ensure that potential contamination of all discharges is minimised;
- Site-specific spill prevention and spill response plan (high-risk sites) and procedures (if applicable for medium-risk sites).
Explanatory note: The application of current, nationally accepted standards such as the Auckland Council Guidelines GD01, the Christchurch Waterways and Wetlands Drainage Guide or Environment Canterbury’s Erosion and Sediment Control Toolbox for Canterbury will be taken into account by the Council when assessing pollution prevention plans.
Spill Response Procedure
- Be safe
Identify spilled substance and any dangers.
Emergency services required? Dial 111.
Put on appropriate PPE and proceed if safe to do so.
- Stop the Source
Turn off taps, pumps and valves.
Stand container upright or roll it over.
Plug leak or place a drip tray under it until fixed; empty trays before they overflow.
- Protect Stormwater
Confine a liquid spill with sandbags or booms.
cover a dry spill to protect it from wind and rain if required.
Block off access to stormwater drains with drain covers.
- Notify
Tell your supervisor.
Dial ECan Pollution Hotline (0800 765 588) if the spill reaches land, drains or waterways.
- Clean Up
Neutralise hazardous substances.
Transfer liquid to a safe container or absorb it with a compatible material.
Sweep up dry spill and spent absorbents promptly.
Clean up confined area and do not track spill to other areas.
- Dispose Responsibly
Never hose a spill away; always prevent washwater and sweepings from entering stormwater drains.
Call a waste disposal contractor to take away contaminated materials.
- Restock and Review
Replace materials and PPE at spill station.
Learn how and why the spill happened and what corrective actions are needed.
Site-specific spill prevention and spill response plans shall include the following items:
a | A protocol/method for identifying and stopping the discharge of environmentally hazardous substances to land or water and avoiding future events of this nature |
b | Emergency containment and clean-up procedures |
c | A list of appropriate spill kit contents to enable the containment and/or absorption of spilt material and a plan showing the location of the spill kits |
d | A requirement for appropriate signage to identify the location of spill kits and the actions to be taken in the event of a spill |
e | Actions to remedy or mitigate any adverse effects on the environment or public health and safety arising from the discharges or spills of environmentally hazardous substances to land or water |
f | Methods for disposal of spilt environmentally hazardous substances and any other contaminated materials used in the spill clean-up |
g | A schedule of adequate training for personnel in the use of the emergency spill response plan and in anticipating and preventing the likelihood of spills |
h | Up-to-date and accurate copies of all drainage plans for the land on which the industrial or trade activity is undertaken showing the location of the final discharge point to the public stormwater system or to land or water |
i | A procedure for notifying as soon as practicable Council’s 24-hour emergency response service and the relevant stormwater or wastewater network operator in the event of any discharge of environmentally hazardous substances that results in, or is likely to result in, contamination of any stormwater system, or land or water |
j | Methods for disposing of any spills in a secondary containment device. The plan must set out how it will be disposed of in an appropriate and authorised manner |
Source: Auckland Unitary Plan Operative in Part E33