Stormwater action spreading through Otago

Picture a rainy day in the city. Raindrops fall on rooftops, streets, and parking lots, creating streams of flowing water. This water, known as stormwater, can’t soak into the ground because of the hard surfaces. Instead, it flows through an underground network of drains and pipes that often lead to the nearest lake, river, wetland, or to the sea.

Stormwater isn’t pure water. As it runs over the ground and paved areas towards a drain, it picks up pollutants. So, whatever goes into the drain outside your house – whether it’s poured in intentionally or washed down with rainwater – enters our waterways without being treated.

In Wānaka, local organisations the Touchstone Project and WAI Wānaka have been at the forefront of stormwater education in their community. In 2018, The Touchstone Project created steel cut-outs of local fish, known as 'Freshwater Beasties on Drains.' These fish were installed beside storm drains with the help of students from Wānaka Primary to remind the community of the connection between stormwater and local aquatic life. This initiative was a collaboration with Fish and Game Otago and Friends of Bullock Creek.

Now, the Otago Regional Council is expanding Adopt a Drain throughout urban centres in Otago, beginning with a pilot programme at Tomahawk Lagoon in Dunedin. Within this catchment, there are around 60 stormwater drains that flow into the lagoon plus more drains at the top of the catchment along Highcliff Road.

We are also working alongside community groups and schools to raise awareness of urban stormwater pollution and encourage participation. At the end of each Adopt a Drain session, a steel fish is installed beside the storm drain.  Adopt a Drain is being piloted in this catchment because there was a strong desire from the locals to improve the water quality in the lagoon.

Building on this project, WAI Wānaka launched their Adopt a Drain initiative in 2022. The programme encourages urban residents, schools, and businesses to take responsibility for their local storm drains. By ‘adopting’ a drain, participants learn how to prevent everyday pollutants from entering the stormwater system and discover practical ways to protect local waterways.

In the Dunedin area contact catchments@orc.govt.nz

In Wānaka, Albert Town or Hāwea, contact getinvolved@waiwanaka.nz