In urban areas, the pipes that collect rainwater from your roof and yard are connected to a network of underground pipes that transfer the rainwater to local streams or to the seashore. These pipes are the stormwater system.
There is a separate system of pipes that transfer wastewater from the toilet, bathroom, kitchen, and laundry to a sewage treatment plant. These pipes are the sewerage system. In areas without stormwater systems, rainwater from roofs and driveways may drain into soak holes. In areas without sewerage systems, wastewater is generally treated in a septic tank.
Waste water
The city's wastewater system removes some 25,000,000 litres of wastewater from Upper Hutt homes, shops and business premises each day through 223 kilometres of wastewater mains, manholes (access chambers) and 11 community pumping stations.The Hutt Valley Bulk Wastewater System is jointly administered by the Upper Hutt City Council and Hutt City Council by way of a joint committee known as the Hutt Valley Services Committee.
The Hutt City Council is responsible for the administration of bulk wastewater system from the Hutt City and Upper Hutt City, conveying wastewater to the Wastewater Treatment Plant and operation of the Wastewater Treatment Plant. Upper Hutt City Council pays an annual operating levy.
In keeping with Councils Strategic Plan a cost effective, high quality and reliable wastewater disposal system is to be provided, which includes a reduction in the volume of stormwater infiltration into the wastewater system.
Stormwater
The city’s stormwater system is designed to manage the collection and disposal of stormwater within the urban areas by a combination of reticulated pipes, pumps and open drains. The stormwater system comprises 134km of mains, manholes (access chambers), 5 storm water pumping stations, the Heretaunga Detention Dam and open drains within the urban areas.
In keeping with Council’s Strategic Plan, the aim is to provide a cost effective, high quality and reliable stormwater drainage system.
What can I put into the stormwater drain?
It is illegal for anything other than rainwater to go into stormwater drains. If wastewater or other liquid household wastes get into the stormwater drain, they will pollute streams, aquifers or the sea.
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The impacts of common contaminants found in the stormwater system are explained below:
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Waste oil
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Oil causes unsightly surface slicks on the water in the stream or the harbour. In large quantities it can suffocate aquatic life. |
Paint
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Paints (oil and water based) and thinners are toxic to aquatic life, and cause discoloration of streams. |
Wash water
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Detergent causes foaming and nutrient enrichment of streams, and is toxic to aquatic life. |
Dirt and silt
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Dirt and silt smother aquatic life on stream beds and the sea floor, and cause discoloration of streams. |
| What you should do with contaminants… |
Keep our rivers, streams and the sea healthy by following the suggestions below.
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Paint
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Leave small amounts of unwanted paint to dry in the tin, then dispose of the tin with your household rubbish. For large amounts of unwanted paint, take it to the recycling centre at the landfill. Spare paint can also be disposed of at Upper Hutt’s annual Hazardous Waste Collection day. Pour wash water or thinners from paint cleaning down the laundry sink or sewer gully. |
Paint fragments / and paint stripper
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Sweep paint scraps up with a broom, then dispose of them with your household rubbish. If using a water blaster, try to stop scraps entering the drain. When using paint stripper, remove residues with a rag and then wash off the stripped surface into a container. This can be disposed of at the landfill or stored and dropped off at Upper Hutt’s annual Hazardous Waste Collection Day. |
Used engine oil and radiator water
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Ask your local garage if they accept used oil for recycling, if they don’t, check with your local council. Otherwise, put it in a sealed container and take it to the hazardous wastes area of the landfill or store it until the annual hazardous waste collection. Radiator water should also be treated as hazardous waste. |
| Oil spills and leaks |
Mop up with rags, sand or soil. Remove residual oil with some bleach or detergent, and then soak that up with rags. Dispose of any waste with your household rubbish. Don’t hose it away because even a small amount of oil will cause a problem when it reaches our water ways. |
| Wash water from cleaning your car |
Minimise the amount of detergent you use. If you can, wash the car on the lawn or at a car wash, rather than on the road or driveway where wastewater can go down the gutter into the stormwater system. |
Waste cement or concrete
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For small quantities, pour wet cement or concrete onto soil and let it harden as small lumps. These can be disposed of with your household rubbish. Larger quantities can be buried in your garden, or taken to the landfill. |
Driveway, path and yard sweepings
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Collect the sweepings and add them to your compost or dispose with your household rubbish. Don’t hose rubbish from your property onto the street or down the drain. |
If you see somebody dumping wastes into the stormwater drain, call your us on 04 527 2169, or the Greater Wellington Regional Council Pollution Hotline 0800 496 734.
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