The Stormwater quality bylaw is designed to protect people, the environment and the stormwater system from the effect of the discharge of contaminants to the stormwater system.
The Stormwater Quality Bylaw 2020 was adopted by Council on 8 December 2020 following a public consultation and came into effect on 1 February 2021.
Previously rules relating to the discharge of stormwater were included in the Trade Waste Bylaw 2008. A review of this bylaw has resulted in the stormwater rules now being included in a separate Bylaw.
The Stormwater Quality Bylaw 2020 is designed to protect people, the environment and the stormwater system from the effect of the discharge of contaminants to the stormwater system.
The bylaw does not change the intent of the existing rules but provides more clarity about what can and can’t be discharged to the stormwater system.
Rules in the Bylaw
The bylaw restricts the discharge of contaminants into the stormwater system that are likely (individually or cumulatively) to cause nuisance, or adversely affect the environment or operation of the stormwater system.
The bylaw provides example of the types of contaminants that should not be discharged to the stormwater system and identifies pre-treatment that may be required to remove contaminants from some discharges.
The DCC can monitor any discharge to the stormwater system and enforcement action may be taken if a discharge breaches the bylaw.
Examples of contaminants that should not be discharged to the stormwater system include:
- Carpet cleaning water
- Cement wash, cement slurry, and concrete cutting waste
- Cleaning products, including vehicle cleaning products, detergents, disinfectants and chemical cleaning products
- Dissolved metals
- Effluent
- Fungicide
- Green waste
- Hazardous substances (as defined in Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act 1996)
- Hydrocarbons
- Insecticide
- Liquid fuels
- Litter
- Oils and grease
- Paint
- Pesticides
- Radiator coolant
- Sandblasting waste
- Sediments
- Solvents
- Swimming pool and spa pool water
- Trench water
- Wastewater or any waste
- Water blasting or building washing waste
- Any discharge that:
- contains or causes the production of any oil or grease films, scums, or floatable materials;
- causes any colour changes in the receiving water;
- has any objectionable odour; or
- is likely to cause adverse effects on the environment or aquatic organisms.
Discharge to the wastewater system, with a trade waste consent, may be an alternative option for these types of discharges.
Rules for vehicle washing
The bylaw will have a small impact on the washing of vehicles be it commercial, private or through fundraising activities.
Wash-water containing chemical cleaners should not be discharged to the stormwater system. Chemical and sediments in wash-water discharged to the stormwater system can have adverse effects on aquatic plants, animals and environments.
Pre-treatment of wash-water from washing private vehicles at home may be effective, in combination with reduced chemical cleaner being used, to remove some contaminants. Pre-treatment can include the use of, washing vehicles on, or discharging wash-water onto, grass or gravel areas or using filter mats over stormwater drains.
Wash-water from commercial vehicle wash facilities and fundraising vehicle washing events must be discharge to the wastewater system with a trade waste consent.
Run-off from construction sites
Run-off from earthworks, building platforms, and construction sites is likely to contain sediment. Sediment poses a greater water quality risk than just soil particles alone, because it often carries other pollutants, such as nutrients, heavy metals, organic chemicals and bacteria.
If sediment is discharged to the stormwater system it can have adverse effects on aquatic plants, animals and environments.
Run-off needs to be pre-treatment to remove sediments before being discharged to the stormwater system.
See below for links to frequently asked questions about the new Bylaw and detail about the rules in the Bylaw. If your question is not answered here, please feel free to call us on 477 4000.
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FAQs
The new Stormwater Quality Bylaw 2020 was adopted by Council on 8 December 2020 and comes into effect from 1 February 2021.
Why is a stormwater quality bylaw necessary?
Stormwater does not get treated before it enters the environment, other than the removal of litter, debris and silt by mudtanks (if the stormwater passes through them). It is collected into the piped network, often via street drains, and discharges straight into the nearest stream, the harbour or the coast.
The bylaw makes it unlawful to tip, wash or flush common pollutants down our stormwater drains. Common pollutants include: water containing cleaning products; oils; paint or water from washing painting equipment; sand or water blasting waste; radiator coolant; pesticides/insecticides; solvents; trench water and spa or swimming pool water.
Run-off from construction sites requires pre-treatment to remove sediments before being discharged to stormwater.
The Otago Regional Council is responsible for regulating discharges of contaminants to the environment. The DCC hold some resource consents for the discharge of stormwater from its public stormwater system, while other discharges are permitted, provided certain requirements are met. Those requirements include the removal of any contaminants that could cause significant adverse environmental effects. This bylaw helps the DCC to comply with ORC requirements.
What does the Stormwater Quality Bylaw 2020 mean for me?
The bylaw contributes towards cleaning up Otago Harbour and other sites around our coast and waterways, meaning all of us will be able to enjoy a healthier environment.
You need to ensure your stormwater drains only drain rain. This means you will need to either collect contaminated water or pollutants and take it to appropriate facilities for disposal or divert small amounts of contaminated run-off onto your lawn, garden or compost.
If you create larger quantities of contaminated water or other pollutants that requires disposal, you may need to apply for a Trade Waste consent
What are the rules for washing cars?
Detergents and car wash cleaners are contaminants that may impact on aquatic life if they are discharged into waterways and the harbour, via the stormwater system. Dust and dirt washed off cars are also contaminants and can have adverse impacts on the stormwater system and the environment. They should not be discharged into the stormwater system.
If you’re washing your car at home, stop soapy water flowing through the stormwater system and into waterways and the harbour by washing on a gravel or grassed area or by diverting your waste water through one, so it’s filtered before it runs into the stormwater system. Filtering through soil helps remove or break down contaminants. Other filtering options are also available such as filter cloth or mats or hay bales over stormwater drains will help reduce some contaminants and could be combined with minimal use of detergents or soaps.
To reduce contaminants, you should only use small amounts of cleaners. Cleaning without water or using only clean water (no detergents or soaps) are good alternatives. Using an environmentally-friendly cleaning product may have less impact on aquatic life than some other cleaners but is not by itself enough. A combination of methods to reduce contaminants should be used.
Businesses that wash cars or trucks as part of their normal business activities such as commercial car washes, car yards and transport/bus depots, generally have (or should have) special wash pad areas that discharge water from washing vehicles to the wastewater system or may use alternative methods for washing vehicles, such as just using water (no detergents or soaps). Water from commercial vehicle washing cannot be discharged to the stormwater system. It can be discharged to the wastewater system with a trade waste consent.
Car wash fundraisers create large volumes of soapy water. Soapy water cannot be discharged to the stormwater system. A trade waste consent can be granted for discharge of soapy water to the wastewater system. You may be able to find a business with a special wash pad area that you can use for your fundraiser.
Contact the DCC education and compliance officer on 477 4000 for more information if you are proposing to have a car wash fundraiser or for advice about preventing polluting waterways when washing your car at home. Information is also on the preventing stormwater pollution page.
If I have water from washing/cleaning something (e.g. paint brushes, floors, carpet, the dog or windows), what should I do with it?
Contaminated water cannot be disposed of into the stormwater system. It is best to dispose of household wastewater down your sink. Ensure you don’t tip it into a stormwater drain. Small amounts may also be disposed of on a grass or gravel area.
If you are running a business, any discharge to the wastewater system must comply with the Trade Waste Bylaw 2020. Waste from your business cannot be discharged into a wastewater drain without DCC approval.
Where do I dispose of water from my pool or spa?
Swimming and spa pool water can contain chemicals which are added to kill harmful bacteria and/or algae. This water must not be discharged to the stormwater system.
Filtered backwash water must be discharged to the wastewater system. Cartridge filters should be washed onto the lawn or into the wastewater system. Spent diatomaceous earth should be composted or disposed of as rubbish.
Wherever possible, drain pool water to your lawn or garden and make sure the water does not flow off your property. Private pool owners may discharge pool water to the wastewater system. This should only be done when it's not raining. This minimises the risk of flooding occurring if the wastewater system is overloaded during a rainfall event.
If you need to drain a commercial pool (e.g. from a motel or school), you must get approval from the DCC to discharge to the wastewater system. You need to contact the DCC SeniorEducation and Compliance Officer on 477 4000 to find out if disposal to the wastewater system is permitted with only needing to register the discharge with DCC, or if you need a trade waste consent for the discharge.
For a comprehensive list of what should and shouldn’t be discharged to the stormwater system go to preventing stormwater pollution page
What should I do if I see someone polluting stormwater?
You can contact the Dunedin City Council on 477 4000 or the Otago Regional Council on 0800 800 033 (staffed 24 hrs a day) or email pollution@orc.govt.nz.
What are the consequences for breaching the bylaw?
The DCC may:
- require the discharger to undertake remediation or clean up the discharge
- undertake remediation or clean up the discharge and recover cost from the discharger
- issue an infringement notice
- prosecute a discharger through the courts. The maximum penalty on conviction for a breach of the bylaw is a fine up to $20,000.