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Stormwater overview

Stormwater is the rainwater that runs off hard surfaces such as roofs, driveways, and roads into drains, gutters, and sumps. This eventually enters the streams, rivers and waterways. Stormwater is different to wastewater from your home and business, which is collected and treated before being discharged.

Everything that goes down our roadside drains ends up in our waterways. This is why it's important to keep stormwater clean and free from pollution so that oil, grease, paint, metal particles and animal waste do not enter our streams and rivers.

Council's stormwater areas

We ensure that the stormwater is managed to sustainably support the environmental, social, cultural and economic well-being of the communities.

Council manages and funds stormwater in the following areas. Note that stormwater management differs between urban and rural areas, due to the higher number of non-permeable surfaces in urban areas.

Urban areas:

• Timaru
• Temuka
• Geraldine
• Pleasant Point

Rural Areas

• Milford-Ohapi

Last updated: 30 Sep 2024