Central Otago District Council will be communicating with home-owners in Alexandra and Cromwell this month whose homes have been identified as having stormwater being discharged into the wastewater system.

Testing of private stormwater connections has been undertaken across the district by Council contractors due to the increasing burden on the district’s wastewater systems. 

This ongoing work programme has identified about 220 properties in Alexandra and Cromwell where stormwater is incorrectly being discharged into the wastewater system.

CODC Regulatory Services Manager Lee Webster says non-compliant stormwater drainage entering the wastewater system was an issue that could have an impact on public and environmental health, as well as ultimately costing the ratepayer more if left unchecked.

“Stormwater – the rainwater that runs off your roof and hard surfaces – should not enter the wastewater system. 

“If it does, the increased flows caused by heavy rain can reduce the effectiveness of the wastewater treatment plant and process, and cause wastewater overflows where untreated sewage can enter waterways. 

“Keeping the stormwater out of the wastewater network results in improved environmental outcomes for our community and reduces wastewater treatment costs.” 

Lee says the monitoring team were aware the non-compliant stormwater systems may well have been historic and homeowners may not be aware of the issue so Council was keen to work with people to correct these issues.  

“Our team will provide homeowners with the appropriate information and support to remedy the issue as smoothly and cost-effectively as possible. 

“By remedying these issues, we can avoid unnecessary capacity upgrades to our wastewater systems, which help us keep rates down for our community.”

More information about stormwater management, including a handy “Rain in your drain?” guide, can be found on Council’s website at: www.codc.govt.nz/services/water-services/stormwater Those with further questions can contact Council’s monitoring team on: [email protected].