Where does Auckland stormwater go?

Auckland has a lot of stormwater runoff, so we’re trying to get as much of it as possible to soak into the ground. Stormwater that isn’t absorbed by vegetation or sealed with concrete ends up in rivers, lakes and the ocean. If you live in Auckland, we recommend you learn more about our stormwater management system and how we’re working to protect the water you love.

When rain falls on Auckland, it drains into the ground through stormwater drains, gutters and pipes.

Stormwater flows into the sea, lakes, rivers, or groundwater. In Auckland, 70% of stormwater is collected through stormwater drains. Rainwater that flows into stormwater drains can cause problems, such as blocked drains and sewage overflows.

Around 4of Auckland’s stormwater drains into the sea, and the remaining 6is stored in local waterways.

The stormwater that flows into the drains goes into the Waitematā Harbour, the Manukau Harbour and the Hauraki Gulf. These waterways are home to many species such as fish, birds and seals, and are very important to maintaining the health of these ecosystems.

Around a quarter of Auckland’s stormwater drains are on steep slopes, and therefore vulnerable to landslides and flooding.

Your home, office, and business could be connected to stormwater drains – and these drains could be vulnerable to damage from stormwater runoff. Stormwater drains can be connected to rivers, wetlands, and lakes, and they can also empty into estuaries, bays, and the ocean.

Around a quarter of Auckland’s stormwater drains are in places where it is difficult or impossible to manage the flow of water.

Stormwater drains can be found in urban areas, including private properties, and in public spaces such as parks, shopping centres, and sports facilities. Pools, pathways, roads, and drains are all potential sources of stormwater.

Around a quarter of Auckland’s stormwater drains are on steep slopes and vulnerable to landslides and flooding.

Well, stormwater drains are incorporated into our design and planning across Auckland. There are more than 100,000 stormwater drains in Auckland. About one-quarter of these run along steep slopes. This means it’s important to manage stormwater runoff that could cause problems on steep slopes, such as flash flooding and landslides.

Around a quarter of Auckland’s stormwater drains are in places where it is difficult or impossible to manage the flow of water.

Stormwater drains can be found in urban areas, including private properties, and in public spaces such as parks, shopping centres, and sports facilities. Pools, pathways, roads, and drains are all potential sources of stormwater.

Around a quarter of Auckland’s stormwater drains are on steep slopes and vulnerable to landslides and flooding.

Well, stormwater drains are incorporated into our design and planning across Auckland. There are more than 100,000 stormwater drains in Auckland. About one-quarter of these run along steep slopes. This means it’s important to manage stormwater runoff that could cause problems on steep slopes, such as flash flooding and landslides.

Conclusion

Controlling stormwater pollution is a challenge because it’s difficult to track where stormwater goes in the first place. However, there are a few ways to figure it out. A good place to start is with a drain map of your area. These maps detail the pipes that carry runoff from your property to the street. You can also look at catchment area maps. These maps show the area that drains into your stormwater system, and you can compare your property to these to see how much runoff your property produces.