Stormwater

Environment, Waste & Water

In this section

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.

Storm drain filled iwth Rubbish Clean stormwater drain with blue fish

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.

Stormwater management differs between urban and rural areas, due to the higher number of non-permeable surfaces in urban areas. There are less stormwater activities in rural areas, although some drainage in rural areas is managed by Environment Canterbury and partially funded by Timaru District Council.

Urban areas:
  • Timaru
  • Temuka
  • Geraldine
  • Pleasant Point
Rural Areas
  • Winchester
  • Cave
  • Milford-Ohapi

Last updated: 09 Nov 2022