Water conservation
Please remember:
- Reducing our need for water restrictions over our longest, driest months starts now.
- Breaking bad habits will set us up for success when our water levels dip in the sun.
Find out more at tcdc.govt.nz/savewater and keep up to date with water restrictions in your area at tcdc.govt.nz/waterrestrictions.
Water tanks
Adding a rainwater water tank enables you to capture rain off your roof and store it for use during hot summer days, when water restrictions may be in place. It’s perfect for cleaning the car and boat or keeping the flowers, vegetables and lawns alive.
The process is simple - decide where you want to put your tank, talk to your local manufacturer about colour, size, cost and delivery, and check if your tank needs any Council consents.
A building consent is not required if the tank meets the requirements for capacity and height-above-ground. For example, the NZ Building Act allows tanks without building consent as long as they:
- Do not exceed 35,000 litres
- Are not plumbed into a house for use as drinking water or connected to your toilet or washing machine - find out more here
- Are on firm ground with proper support
- Are installed at least 1.5 metres from the boundary.
If your tank will be plumbed into a house and connected to your toilet or washing machine, a building consent is required. You'll need a registered plumber to carry out this work for you.
Find out more at tcdc.govt.nz/savewater and smarterhomes.org.nz.
Wastewater Care
Wastewater, also known as sewage, is the used water that goes down sinks, washing machines, showers, baths and toilets. Most of it is water, and the rest includes organic matter and debris such as sand, grit and plastic.
If you haven't been to your property in a while and find wastewater isn't getting cleared away quick enough, it could be due to root intrusion around the pipes. Take a look to see if any plants or weeds need to be cleared on your property. We can come and clear the pipes, but the householder will receive a bill for this service if it is on the property.
Read more about wastewater management here.
Stormwater Care
Stormwater is the runoff from land generated by rainfall or melting snow. If stormwater is not managed properly, it can flood streets and pose a threat to public health and safety, property and our oceans and waterways.
As a rule, don’t put anything down a stormwater drain that you wouldn't want to drink or swim in.Stormwater grates are only supposed to drain rain. If any pollutants get into our stormwater, they will also end up untreated in our waterways.
Do not:
- tip unwanted chemicals such as paint for example down the drain
- wash your car out on the road
- let your swimming pool water run into stormwater drains
- store chemicals outside where they could leak and be washed into a drain.
- use the gutter as a litter bin.
Read more about stormwater management here