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8/3/2019 New Zealand; Water: A Household Guide to Improving Water Quality and Managing Water Use - City of Hamilton

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WATER

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A HOUSEHOLD GUIDETO IMPROVING WATER QUALITY

AND MANAGING WATER USE IN HAMILTON



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We tend to take water for granted,

expecting clean drinking water when we

turn on a tap and safe water for our

recreational activities. But how many of usunderstand the realities of managing our

water use, or understand how the impacts

of our everyday activities affect these

expectations?

The purpose of this booklet is to improve

community knowledge of the freshwater

cycle and how this cycle interconnects

with water and wastewater management

in Hamilton city. It is written with direct

relevance to our homes and explains how

the activities of a household, may in turn

impact upon the region’s water resources.

This booklet provides an overview of how

our lifestyles impact on our water

resources. We hope that the information

and tips presented in this booklet will help

you to find some simple things you can do

to protect our water resources.

Our Watery World ................................................. 3

The Natural Water Cycle ........................................ 3

The Importance of Water in Hamilton .................... 5The Importance of Water to Maori ........................ 5

Hamilton’s Water Cycle .......................................... 6

The Water Cycle in Hamilton ................................. 8

The Waikato River Catchment ............................... 10

What Affects the Quality of the Waikato River ...... 11

RIVER TO THE TAP

(Hamilton’s Water Supply) ...................................... 12

Water Use and Conservation .................................. 12

How Much Water Do We Use? .............................. 14

Where Does All the Water Go?............................... 14

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

Conserving Water at Home .................................... 15

WASTEWATER TREATMENT ........... 16

The Treatment Process ........................................... 16

Maori Beliefs in Wastewater Disposal ..................... 17

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

Keeping the Waste Out of Water ........................... 17

STORMWATER IN HAMILTON .... 18

Stormy Waters - The Issues with Stormwater ......... 18

How Does Stormwater Become Polluted? ............. 20

Stemming Stormwater From the Start ................... 21

Hey We Live Down Here ...................................... 21

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

Saving the Drain for Rain ...................................... 22

Further Information on Water ............................... 24

Take the Water Wise Test ...................................... 25

Waikato Water Story ............................................ 26

TABLE OF CONTENTS



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OUR WATERY WORLD THE NATURAL WATER CYCLE

Water is the most common substance on Earth!Over two thirds of the surface of the planet iscovered by water.

Surely there should be plenty of water for everyone!

Actually, only a tiny percentage of this seeminglyabundant water is usable. Over 99% of the world’swater is either too salty, frozen in glaciers and polar ice caps, too deep underground to extract or toopolluted to use.

Unpolluted fresh water is becoming more and morescarce. Since all living things depend on water tosurvive, the little water that we do have is veryprecious.

Our planet can’t make any more, it must reuse and

recycle what there is.

Did you realise that the same water that existed on

earth millions of years ago is still being recycled around

the planet today? The water you cleaned your teeth

with this morning could contain a water molecule that

was drunk by a dinosaur millions of years ago.

The process of recycling water happens through thenatural water cycle. Water moves around in the water cycle as part of an interconnected system, from rain tostreams and rivers, groundwater, the sea, clouds, andback to rain again.

Water is evaporated (heated to become vapour or steam) from the surface of the earth and from oceansand lakes. It condenses in the atmosphere formingclouds. Eventually these clouds become saturated andthe water falls as rain, hail or snow back to earth’ssurface in a process known as precipitation.

Most of this water flows into and over the ground,moving through the soil and recharging groundwater or replenishing rivers and lakes. Eventually this water will flow to the ocean where it will begin the water cycle again.

When water is evaporated, it is also purified. Imagine apuddle of dirty water with oil, chemicals and other pollutants dissolved in it. On a hot day this puddle willdisappear leaving behind a dirty residue on the ground.

The water has evaporated to the atmosphere as purewater vapour leaving behind most of the pollutants thatwere present in the puddle. This is how water iscleansed and cycled around the earth.

However, this doesn’t mean that we will always have

an endless supply of good clean water.



Water can become contaminated at various stages ofthe water cycle. As droplets of water pass throughthe atmosphere they pick up very small air-borneparticles, such as fumes from cars and industries andcarry them to the surface of earth. This is whysometimes rainwater must be filtered before we can

drink it. On land, water picks up pollutants as it passesthrough the landscape, over and through soil, intogroundwater, rivers and lakes. These pollutants caninclude dairy shed effluent, chemicals and fertilisersfrom farms and orchards, run off from roads or stormwater and wastewater discharges from towns

and cities. All of these pollutants can make water unsuitable for drinking, for recreational use or for thehealth and survival of plants and animals.

Unfortunately, people and the way they use water have had a huge impact on water quality and

availability. You may not realise it, but we all affectwater quality in some way almost every day. Water isessential to our survival, so we must treat it as theprecious resource that it is by being aware of our ownimpacts and by practicing good habits in and aroundour homes. S

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Maori have strong cultural, traditional and historic linkswith wetlands and inland waterways, including lakes,rivers, streams and springs. These taonga (treasures) arespiritually significant and closely linked to the identities ofthe tangata whenua (people of the land).

There are many customary practices involving water,associated with good health and religious practices.Rahui (prohibition) were often imposed to prohibit entryor to safe guard a key area of water, such as a customaryfishing area preserved for seasonal use or the site ofa drowning.

A Rahui was often put in place to maintain the Mauri

(life force) of a location. Particularly in sites where therewas an abundance of fresh water and Kai (food). Suchareas were placed under Rahui sustaining its Mauri andthereby protecting and managing a resource, which wasnecessary for the sustenance and survival of the tribe.Streams and waterways that fed into, or out of theselocations were closely watched to ensure that no

effluents were discharged into the area, and that theprotective deities of the water would ensure longevity ofthe Mauri and resource of that particular area.

Ancient Maori observed a number of other customs,some of which are still observed today.

1. It is considered unhygienic to wash tea towels, hats,pillowslips or tablecloths in the same washing water as underwear and nappies.

2. Dishwashing water is not discharged into streamswhere eels, watercress or the other traditional foodsare gathered.

3. Urinating in streams is forbidden. 4. The water from fresh water springs used for sacred

rituals must not be used for domestic purposes.5. Bowls used for food preparation were never used for washing ones body.

6. Swimming in, or gathering food from streams or other parts of the river where tribal Taniwha (spiritualbeings) lived was prohibited.

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THE IMPORTANCE OF WATER IN HAMILTONAlthough not on the coast, Hamilton has a number ofimportant water resources. The Waikato River flowsthrough the middle of the city, joined by a number ofstreams that flow out of Hamilton’s vast network of

gullies. There are also a number of shallow peat lakesand a small wetland area.

Hamilton’s water resources are important for manyreasons:● They provide habitats (places to live and grow) for

plants and animals.● They are a place to swim, fish, boat or just to relax in

and enjoy their visual beauty.● They are highly treasured by Maori and have

important cultural and spiritual significance.● The gully streams are an important part of Hamilton’s

drainage network channelling water from urban andrural areas into the river.

The Waikato River is also important because it;● Provides the water we use in our homes, schools,

offices, businesses, industry and agriculture.● Receives treated wastewater from the city.● Is used to generate the electricity that powers our lives

from the nine hydro power stations (dams) built alongthe river.

For Hamiltonian’s the health and well-being of theWaikato River is essential to the quality of our lives.

In 2000, Hamilton residents were surveyed to find out

what they thought was the most important environmental

issue facing the city. The survey showed that people were

most concerned about water quality and water pollution.

THE IMPORTANCE OF WATER TO MAORI



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HAMILTON’S WATER CYCLE

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THE WATER CYCLE IN HAMILTON

Water is an important part of our daily activities. In our homes we use water for drinking, cooking, cleaning,washing, flushing the toilet, watering the garden and washing the car. In the wider community water is used for fire fighting, irrigating pastures and crops, sustaining livestock, and in industrial and manufacturing processes. Weuse water in vast amounts everyday!

But how many of us, when we turn on a tap, think about the long journey that water has made to get to us, andthe journey it will make as it vanishes down the plughole. Do we know enough about the part we play in this journey, and understand the effects of our daily activities on the water in our environment?

This section of this booklet looks at Hamilton’s water cycle and will help to answer the following questions.

● Where does water come from and how does it get to my tap?

● What happens to it when it disappears down the plughole? ● How does my use of water affect our rivers and lakes?

To help you visualise some of the complex networks and paths that water travels in the city, the diagram on theprevious page shows the key features in Hamilton’s water cycle. The diagram shows Hamilton city’s water cycle asa small part of the much larger natural water cycle. It includes, interwoven into the natural cycle, a network ofwater pipes and drainage systems. These systems have been built so that people can divert water from the naturalwater cycle for our own use, before returning it to the cycle. Can you track these systems?

A.The water cycle inHamilton begins atthe Waikato River where water istaken by the Water Treatment Station,

treated so that it issafe to drink, andthen piped to thecity’s homes,businesses andfactories. See page12 to find out more.



B. We use this water inmany ways before itdisappears down theplughole or is flusheddown the toilet into anetwork of wastewater pipes. These pipes takeour wastewater to theWastewater TreatmentPlant where it undergoesa complex series ofprimary, secondary and

tertiary treatment beforethe treated effluent isdischarged back into theWaikato River. See page16 to find out more.

C. The stormwater network is the other part of Hamilton’swater cycle. When itrains, water runs off thecity’s roads, car parks,

driveways, rooftops andpaths and into guttersand stormwater catchpits. This water then travels through anetwork of stormwater drains and into thenearest natural

waterway. See page 18to find out more.



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But where does the water in the Waikato River come

from, and what has happened to it in its journey before reaching Hamilton?

The Waikato River is New Zealand’s longest river extending 425km from Lake Taupo to its final destinationat Port Waikato on the West Coast.

As it winds through the landscape the Waikato River collects the water that drains off farms and forests, from

the towns and cities that it passes through and alongside,and from streams and other rivers that empty into it. Theland that drains water into the Waikato River is known asthe river catchment, and covers a huge 14,260km2.

Water draining from this catchment into the river bringswith it sediment, chemicals, heavy metals, nutrients, oil,detergents, farm effluent and wastewater. Some of thesepollutants settle in the river sediment. Other pollutantsaccumulate and cause the water quality of the WaikatoRiver to deteriorate further downstream.

Some of the discharges into the river are from pointsource discharges which can be from places likewastewater treatment plants and factories. Fortunatelythey can be monitored and traced so that pollution of theriver can be prevented.

Unfortunately, there are many discharges from non-pointsources where the source of the pollution is unknown.These discharges pose a bigger problem, as it is harder tostop this form of pollution happening. Non-point sourcedischarges are the biggest form of pollution of theWaikato River and include surface runoff andgroundwater flow from farmland. Stormwater runoff fromstreets and urban areas can also be classed as non-pointsource discharges as it is difficult to determine where thepollutants in the stormwater actually originated.

THE WAIKATO RIVER CATCHMENT



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Despite being the most intensively used river in thecountry, the Waikato’s water quality is considered to beexcellent compared to other rivers around the world.However at certain times, in some stretches of the river,

water quality has been deemed unsuitable for swimming and drinking and for plants and animals tobe healthy.

Water quality may deteriorate from discharges into theriver, weather conditions that make worse somepollution, or from certain activities that take place onthe river or within the river catchment.

Agriculture

Farming is probably the main non-point source ofcontaminants to the Waikato River. Dairy shed effluentand the urine from dairy herds on pasture, leaches intogroundwater and eventually flows into the river. Thiswaste is high in nutrients and bacteria. Excessivenutrients can encourage the growth of nuisance aquaticplants that choke waterways and out-compete nativeplant species, especially during summer.

Sediment flowing into the river from streams and other rivers also reduces water clarity. Water clarity declinesremarkably the further down the Waikato River you go.In Taupo, you can see underwater for over 10 metreswhile in Hamilton this reduces to only 1-2 metres. AtMercer you can hardly see your feet!

Stormwater

Runoff from cities and towns is probably the next mostsignificant non-point source of contaminants to theWaikato River. Although mechanisms are in place that

prevent some of the contaminants in stormwater fromentering the river, stormwater does have an impact onriver water quality.

Urban and industrial waste water

Point source discharges from industry are comparativelyminor, and as the source of this pollution is known, canbe regularly monitored. Arsenic is a pollutant present in

the Waikato River that comes from geothermal activityin the upper reaches of the river. Hamilton’s water treatment station treats for arsenic leaving it safe todrink.

Waste water treatment has improved considerably over the last two decades. Discharges of treated wastewater from wastewater treatment plants along the river, aremonitored to ensure that the quality of the effluent hasno impact on river water quality.

Dams

The hydro power stations along the upper WaikatoRiver also affect water clarity. Before these dams werebuilt, it took six days for a drop of water to reach thesea from Lake Taupo. Now it takes a month! Theincreased time that water is held in dams allows the

growth of algal cells (called phytoplankton), especiallyduring hot and sunny weather. These algae make thewater look green and reduce clarity.

WHAT AFFECTS THE QUALITY OF THE WAIKATO RIVER?



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Hamilton’s Water Treatment Station takes water fromthe Waikato River upstream of Hamilton city. Thestation is located on the banks of the Waikato River opposite the Hamilton Gardens, can produce up to 85million litres of high quality drinking water everydayand pipes it to all urban areas of the city.

That’s a lot of water!

However, the amount of water we take from theWaikato River is very small, less than 1% of the river flow even on record demand days.

There are a number of stages in the process of gettingwater from the Waikato River to our taps.● First the water that is taken from the river is

screened to prevent fish, birds, branches and leaves

from getting into the system.● The water is then pumped into sedimentation tanks

where it undergoes a process of settling outsediment and other small particles.

● From here the water is disinfected by the additionof chlorine, which kills any remaining bacteria.

The water is now safe for drinking (potable) and ready

for distribution around the city.

From the Water Treatment Station, treated water ispiped to seven reservoirs situated around the city.These reservoirs allow water to be stored for emergencies and periods of high demand. From herewater is piped to our taps and to fire hydrants onour streets.

It is interesting to note, that only a very small percentage of this high quality drinking water piped

to Hamilton’s homes and businesses is used for

drinking. Most of it is used for bathing, washing,

flushing toilets, watering gardens and in industrial

processes.

WATER USE AND CONSERVATIONIn Hamilton we have an almost unlimited water supplyright on our doorstep, with the Waikato River flowingthrough the city. Other cities without lakes or rivers,or where rainfall is low, have to monitor and conservethe amounts of water they use so that they don’thave water shortages or so that their water suppliesdon’t run out.

However, this doesn’t mean that here in Hamilton wecan use as much water as we want. The more water we use means that more chemicals and electricity areused to treat it. It costs Hamilton’s ratepayers to treatwater to drinking standards and to deliver this water to our homes.

If water is used inefficiently, coupled with a growingpopulation in Hamilton, we could have water shortages in the city in future.

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RIVER TO THE TAP



DRINKING WATER Hamilton City Council continuously monitors its treated water to ensure that it complies with NZ Drinking Water

Standards and achieves an “A-a” grading from the Ministry of Health. Sometimes you may be able to detect a slight

taste or odour in your water, however this doesn’t mean that the water is unsafe to drink.

This taste or odour can be caused by a number of things but is generally related to home plumbing, changes in the

Waikato River or operations at the Water Treatment Station. A type of blue-green algae was responsible for the bad taste of Hamilton’s drinking water during some summers. These algae naturally occur in our waterways, but flourish

in hot and fine conditions.

Hamilton City Council is investigating an upgrade of the Water Treatment Station. This will address increasing water

demand due to city growth. It will also look at taste and odour issues.

(HAMILTON’S WATER SUPPLY)

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Sedimentation tanks remove nearly all of of the sediment, organic and inorganic material from the Waikato River water that enters the plant.



A top loading washing machine

uses 200 litres per load!

A full flush toilet uses11 litres per flush and ahalf flush toilet uses 6!

A full bath uses 90 litresper tub! A 5 minute

shower with a water savingshower head uses 50 litres.

A dishwasher uses 20 litres

per load!

A garden hose or sprinkler uses 15

litres of water per

minute!

A running tap uses10 litres per minute!

A dripping tap can wasteup to 90 litres per week!

Households use about 68% of Hamilton’s water. Theother 32% is used by businesses, industries, schoolsand hospitals.

Everyday, each person in Hamilton uses on average268 litres of water. That’s well over 1000 glasses ofdrinking water each. These figures can go up to 700litres per person on a peak summer day when we arefilling our swimming pools and watering the garden.

Compare this to some countries in the world where

people use just 3 litres of water per day each!

You only need about 5 litres of drinking water per day

for cooking, drinking and food preparation. InHamilton we use an extra 263 litres per person per day for toilets, showers, washing and watering thegarden.

HOW MUCH WATER DO WE USE?

WHERE DOES ALL THE WATER GO?

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Kitchen5%

Laundry 15%

Toilet 20%

Bathroom 25%

Garden 35%



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T A PEvery time you turn on a tap, think about the long

journey that water takes before it reaches you. Beconscious of how much water is disappearing downthe plughole. Is it necessary?

Have a go at some of these simple water saving tipsin your household.

INSIDE ✓

Check for leaks around the house (water pipes,toilet cistern, taps). Add a few drops of foodcolouring to the toilet cistern. If the colour appearsin the toilet bowl without flushing, you have a leak.Convert your toilet to a dual flush system.Alternatively fill a 1 or 2 litre milk bottle with water and place in your toilet cistern. This will stop thecistern filling with as much water for each flush.Don’t leave the tap running while brushing your teeth.Install water saving showerheads or flow restrictors.Rinse your dishes in a sink with the plug in rather

than under a running tap.Take short showers instead of deep baths.

OUTSIDE ✓

Mulch plants to prevent evaporation and to reducethe need to water.Let grass grow longer in summer to help the soil

retain moisture.Water the garden using water from the sinkor bath (grey water).Use a bucket to wash the car rather than leavingthe hose on.Sweep the path with a broom not a hose.Make sure outside taps are off when not in use.Fix dripping taps or leaking pipes.Set up a rainwater collection system for wateringthe garden.

WHAT CAN YOU DO? CONSERVING WATER AT HOME

There are plenty of things that you can do aroundyour home to make a difference. They can be your personal contribution to cleaner water, healthier fishand wildlife populations, and a greatly improved

environment for your family and community. Somethings may seem like a very small contribution, butcollectively these actions produce significantneighbourhood and regional environmental benefits.

It may take a little thought and practice to get usedto doing them at first, but they will soon become aneveryday habit.

Check out the WHAT CAN YOU DO? sections in this booklet on; Conserving Water at Home (this page), Keeping the Waste out of Water (page 17), and Saving the Drain for Rain (page 22).

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Don’t leave the tap running while brushing your teeth!



So, where does all of this water go after we’ve used it

and it disappears down the plughole?

Because this water is now contaminated, it is calledwastewater or sewage. Hamilton and its residentsproduce an average of 45 million litres of wastewater every day. Wastewater is actually 99.9% water andcontains less than 0.1% waste solids. These solids includedissolved detergents and chemicals, food scraps, dirt, oil

and grease, human waste, sand and other small pieces ofrubbish. It also includes bacteria and viruses that canmake people ill.

When we flush our toilets, drain our baths, showers,sinks and washing machines, the wastewater is carriedthrough a network of pipes and ends up at theHamilton City Council Wastewater Treatment Plant inPukete Road.

We use water as a form of transport to take the wastefrom our home to the Wastewater Treatment Plant.Once this wastewater gets to the treatment plant,everything that we’ve disposed of into the wastewater system has to be taken out. This involves a complex andcostly three stage treatment process so that the resultingtreated water is clean enough to go back into the

Waikato River.Did you know that we produce more wastewater than

our parents did due to more showers and appliances like

dishwashers and sink waste disposal units? Our

wastewater also has more oil and grease in it due to

changes in our eating habits.

THE TREATMENT PROCESSThe first stage of treatment (primary) starts whenwastewater enters the head of the Treatment Plant.Large objects like rags, food scraps and twigs and smallheavy particles like sand and gravel are removed. All ofthis rubbish is then disposed of at the city landfill.

The wastewater then flows to large primarysedimentation tanks. Here heavy solids, scum and greaseare separated from the wastewater and pumped intolarge heated tanks called digesters. The naturallyoccurring bacteria in this sludge help to break downsome of the solids. This digested ‘sludge’ becomes lessodorous and many disease causing organisms aredestroyed. The sludge is then dewatered and can be avaluable soil conditioner for gardens. The methaneproduced in this process is used to generate energy topower the Treatment Plant.

The remaining wastewater (primary effluent) flows toaeration tanks for secondary treatment. Primary effluentis mixed with air and activated sludge, which containsnaturally occurring bacteria. The bacteria use most of theorganic materials in the effluent as a source of food and

energy to grow and reproduce, thereby purifying thewastewater. This process removes most of the nutrientnitrogen found in wastewater.

The nitrogen in our wastewater can cause nuisance

plants and algae to grow. In summer when river flows

are low and when plant growth is high, the treated

wastewater that is pumped back into the river has the

potential to affect water quality. The treatment process

doesn’t remove all of the nitrogen from wastewater so a further step to remove additional nitrogen is added.

The activated sludge is then removed in large open-air tanks called clarifiers and is returned to the aeration tanksto repopulate them with bacteria. The clear ‘secondaryeffluent’ flows on for tertiary treatment which is the finalstep in the cleansing of Hamilton city’s wastewater.Before the treatment plant was upgraded in 2002,

effluent was disinfected by the addition of chlorinebefore its discharge into the river. As the chemicalchlorine can have an impact on the life in our waterways,the treatment plant now uses an ultraviolet system to

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disinfect the water and to stop the spread of diseases.The final effluent, a clear liquid low in solids andbacteria, is discharged back into the Waikato River.

Environment Waikato monitors the effluent to ensurethat it does not impact upon water quality.

MAORI BELIEFS IN WASTEWATER

DISPOSALAs a general rule wastewater was never thrown inwater where people ate, drank and swam, and in pre-European times was usually disposed of in an area of aPa, away from food preparation and habitation.

Ancient Maori were never confronted with the issuesthat surround “wastewater” today. Wastewater and

stormwater from urban areas were unheard of prior tothe arrival of Europeans in the Waikato. Maori thereforedid not have customs associated with these issues.

However, modern Maori have had to address andinterpret these issues based on traditions and culture.This has resulted in an approach that wastewater disposal directly onto land is the preferred option. This

is based on the belief in the power of Papatuanuku(land) to cleanse these waters and to use the nutrientsin the effluent to increase the fertility of the land.

In principle, wastewater must not enter traditionalstreams, lakes or rivers, which are food gathering areasor which mark tribal boundaries as this would diminishthe Mauri (life force) of these land marks.

KEEPING THE WASTE OUT OF WATER Help keep the cost of wastewater treatment down andminimise the effects of wastewater disposal on our environment. Try some of these simple things aroundthe house.

SIMPLE THINGS ✓Don’t use the toilet as a waste paper bin. All the

solids that go into the toilet have to come out againat the wastewater treatment plant. Keep a smallwaste paper bin in the bathroom for tissues andcotton buds etc.Never tip paints, engine oil, unwanted drugs or antibiotics down sinks or toilets as they can kill thenaturally occurring bacteria that the Treatment Plantuses to clean wastewater. Return medicines to your

chemist, take engine oil to the Refuse Transfer Station, and let paint harden and dispose of in your rubbish.Don’t use your sink waste disposal unit. Compostyour food scraps. Remember all this waste has tobe removed from your wastewater at the treatmentplant and will end up in the landfill. Green wastecauses problems such as leachate and methane gas

when disposed of in the landfill.Make sure your downpipes from your roof and other outside drains are connected to the stormwater system, not the wastewater network. In heavy rain,stormwater that gets into your gully trap (wastewater drain) can flood the sewers and cause untreatedsewage to flow onto properties and into waterways.Use environmentally friendly detergents andcleaning products that don’t load our waterways

with phosphates.When purchasing appliances, ask the sales staff howmuch water the appliance uses. A water efficientappliance not only conserves water but also puts lessload on the wastewater system.

EATMENT

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A T E R

WHAT CAN YOU DO?



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HAMILTON

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R M W A T E R

So, how do we solve these issues?

While Hamilton City Council is responsible for public stormwater systems and managing thesesystems so that we don’t have flooding, everyone is responsible for stormwater on their ownproperties. A little awareness of how stormwater can become polluted, and a few simplechanges in our everyday lives, can make a big difference.

Check out the WHAT CAN YOU DO? section in this booklet.

Rain washes rubbish off our streets and into stormwater drains. Some of this pollution will end up in the river.



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POLLUTED?

ON THE STREET Car washing is a popular weekend activity. But whathappens to the wash water when it flows down thedriveway? The detergent joins antifreeze, oil, grease,heavy metals, and bits of rust and tyre rubber fromthe thousands of cars that travel Hamilton’s streetseveryday. A lot of these materials are washed into thestormwater network and into the river.

You can prevent this by washing your car on the lawn,where the soil will help filter out detergent and thedirt and grime off your car. Or you can take it to acommercial car wash. Keeping your car regularlytuned causes less pollution and will help prevent anyleaks. Keep an eye out for oil spots on your driveway,soak up any leaks with newspaper and dispose of this

in your rubbish.

ON THE FOOTPATHAnimal waste on the footpath can wash intowaterways and could spread disease. Take a plasticbag when you’re out and about and dispose of thiswaste in a rubbish bin.

Leaves piling up in street gutters may be breakingdown and sending unwanted nutrients into waterwayswhere they could cause algae blooms and weedgrowth. Litter and leaves decay in water, a processthat uses up oxygen and suffocates fish and insects.Even biodegradable rubbish, like food scraps shouldn’tbe thrown into waterways.

AROUND THE HOMEWhat about all of those cleaners, paints anddetergents that we use around our homes? If disposedof in the wrong place, they could get into waterways.

These chemicals can be poisonous to plants andanimals, may use up oxygen in the water as theybreak down, or block the light that plants and animalsneed to grow.

Keeping these chemicals out of waterways is as simpleas making sure that they are not disposed of into thestormwater drain. There are two sets of drains on your

property. One for wastewater, and the other to drainstormwater from your roof and section. Find outwhere your stormwater drain is and make sure it onlydrains rain!

IN THE GARDENStormwater runoff from your section may be takingwith it fertiliser, sediment, pesticides and other

chemicals. Avoid getting fertiliser or spray on pavedareas as this will wash straight into the stormwater drain when it next rains.

Rain gardens are a great way to capture stormwater on your property so that it filters into the soil, andprevents pollutants from the garden getting intowaterways.

Check out the WHAT CAN YOU DO? section in this booklet for information on how tomake a ‘Rain Garden’.

STEMMING STORMWATER

FROM THE START In new subdivisions and industrial areas, theopportunity to provide alternative ways of treatingstormwater is more achievable and has become astandard requirement in most cities.



Some alternative stormwater treatment systems include;● Planted swales slow stormwater flows, capture some

contaminants and absorb some of the water into theground. They can sometimes take the place of

conventional piped stormwater systems.● Artificial wetlands and stormwater ponds help remove

pollutants from water. Aquatic plants that grow in thewetlands trap particles and contaminants carried instormwater. The particles with contaminants settle outand some are taken up by plants.

● Some councils minimise the use of stormwater pipesin favour of open drains. Open drains improve water

quality and encourage fish and other aquatic life.These drains can also be planted and herebycontribute to a more sustainable environment for the future.

Have you noticed the silver fish on catchpits throughoutthe city, and wondered “What are those there for”?

Well, they don’t mean that this is a good fishing spot!

The fish is our native Kokopu. It is there to remind usthat whatever we put into a stormwater drain will endup in the river, and could harm the Kokopu and other fish and animals that live there.

Keep an eye out for these fish the next time you’re

passing a stormwater catchpit, and remember,

“Stormwater drains are only for rain”.

The Kokopu is one of our native fish that live in the

Waikato River and gully streams in Hamilton. However,

if we continue to wash pollutants into our streams

through our stormwater, the Kokopu will either have

to find another place to live or will die.

HEY, WE LIVE DOWN HERE!

S T O R M W A T E R

The silver fish on catch pits throughout Hamilton city are thereto remind us that whatever we put into a stormwater draincould end up in the river.

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G SAVING THE DRAIN FOR RAINSome of the things we do around our homes directlyaffect the quality of the Waikato River, even thoughwe may live a long way away from it. Find out where

the stormwater off your property drains. Keep an eyeon these drains to make sure that nothing goes downthem that you wouldn’t want to swim in.

CHECKLIST ✓● Wash your car on the grass or at a carwash.● Take used oil to the Refuse Transfer Station for

recycling. Fix oil leaks on your car and when doingan oil change lay paper down to catch anyaccidental spills. Mop up spills with an old rag.Never hose spills down stormwater drains.

● If using water-based paint wash brushes at aninside sink or over the grass or garden. If using oil-based paint wash brushes in a container withthinners, then filter the thinner and re-use.

Otherwise let the solvent evaporate and dispose ofthe solids in your rubbish bag.● When cleaning the car, washing windows or other

outside areas, don’t empty the bucket in thestormwater drain. Tip it on the grass or garden or down the gully trap (outside wastewater drain).

● Keep your driveway, roadside gutter and catchpitsfree from litter and leaves. It might only take aminute every now and then to pick up any rubbish

and to do a quick sweep. Leaves can be added toyour compost heap.

● Use organic compost rather than adding chemicalfertilisers to your garden.

● When out walking the dog, take a plastic bag topick up your dog’s waste and dispose of it into arubbish bin.

● Help spread the word. “Drains are for rain”.

Tell a friend, your family, and your workmates.● Get a group together to remove rubbish from your

local stream.● Prevent erosion when you’re landscaping or

building. Cover areas where soil is exposed so thatrain doesn’t wash the soil away.

MAKE A ‘RAIN FRIENDLY GARDEN’Rain Gardens are becoming a popular way for people

to help reduce the impacts of stormwater. Creating a

rain garden will not only soak up stormwater and

minimise flooding, but will help prevent pollution getting into waterways.

Rain gardens are landscaped areas, planted with

shrubs and native plants that replace areas of lawn.

They fill with a few inches of water, which slowly

filters into the soil rather than running into a

stormwater drain. Compared with lawn, rain gardens

soak up 30% more water.

Rain gardens don’t need to be very big, and you can

site more than one around your section.● Build a rain garden to collect water off your roof,

with a simple pipe attached to your down spout.● Collect water from your driveway by making a

small channel alongside it that diverts water into a

nearby rain garden, rather than into the gutter.● Make a rain garden in a low area of lawn where

water naturally drains.● If you don’t have room for a number of rain

gardens, you can also install a narrow gravel trench

alongside patios or lower areas of lawn where

water drains. This will also collect water and allow

it to filter into the soil.● Porous paving such as gravel or turf blocks allow

water to soak into the ground rather than running

off hard surfaces such as concrete or tarseal. 85%

of rainfall will run off concrete or tarseal while 50%

will run off a loose stone surface.

WHAT CAN YOU DO?



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BECOME A NEIGHBOURHOOD

WATER GUARDIAN!Water Guardians is about neighbours helping tolook after our waterways. Being a Water Guardian

means that you are committed to improving theenvironment in which we live, and leaving a better place for future generations.

As a Water Guardian, your role will be to;

● Pass on information about water to your neighbours. A friendly chat over the fence is a greatway to let people know that our stormwater drains

run straight to the river. It’s a great way to meetyour neighbours too!

● Keep an eye on your local stormwater drains andcatchpits. A quick sweep up of leaves or litter aroundyour driveway stops this rubbish from getting intothe river. Your neighbours may also notice and feelencouraged to keep their drains clear as well.

● Report excessive litter or leaves that could cause

flooding to Council who will organise a staff member to deal with this.

● Inform Council if you notice any water pollution inyour area, or incidences when someone isdischarging contaminants into a waterway or astormwater drain.

Working together we can make a big difference!

Call the Sustainable Environment Teamon 838 6483

to become a Water Guardian

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FURTHER INFORMATION ON WATER



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G WANT TO KNOW MORE!

● Contact Hamilton City Council for more information on Hamilton’s water supply and wastewater treatment.

● Take a tour of the Hamilton City Council Water Treatment Station and Wastewater Treatment Plant.

● Attend a seminar on urban water issues.

● See Hamilton’s Green Who’s Who for a directory of organisations in Hamilton who provide information andresources on water.

● To become a Water Guardian call the Sustainable Environment Team.

For more information call the Sustainable Environment Team on 07 838 6483

USEFUL WEBSITES

www.hcc.govt.nz/sustainabilitywww.ew.govt.nz/ourenvironment/water/index.htmwww.wateryear2003.orgwww.niwa.co.nz/ncwr/

www.mfe.govt.nz/issues/water/www.environment.govt.nz/indicators/freshwater/

FURTHER INFORMATION ON WATER

TAKE THE WATER WISE TEST



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FIND OUT IF YOUR HOUSEHOLD IS WATER FRIENDLY Instructions

Circle your answer for each of these questions, add up the points and see if your household is water friendly!

If not, find out why. Use the tips in this booklet to help make improvements.Use a pencil so the test can be reused.

1. How many people in your house turn off the tap while brushing their teeth?

A. everyone B. half of the household C. no-one

2. How many people in your home take short showers instead of a bath?

A. everyone B. half of the household C. no-one

3. Are there any leaking taps in your house?

A. more than two B. one or two C. none

4. Do you use the waste bin next to your toilet?

A. yes, all the time B. when we remember C. don’t have one

5. Does your household use an in sink waste disposal unit?

A. always B. sometimes C. never

6. Where do you wash the car?

A. on the grass/at a carwash B. on the street/driveway C. never wash it7. How often do you sweep leaves and litter from your street gutter?

A. whenever it needs doing B. sometimes C. never

8. Do you tip anything but water (paint, oil, chemicals) into your stormwater drain?

A. yes B. only soapy water C. never

9. Have you used porous materials and shrubs around your house

to minimise stormwater runoff?

A. extensive work done B. in some areas C. no

10. Do you discuss water issues with others?

A. always B. sometimes C. never

TAKE THE WATER WISE TEST

THE VERDICT 0-9 points What are you people doing?Make sure everyone in your

household reads this booklet.Come on, extra effort

required.

10-24 points Hmmm….you’re trying. Readthrough the ‘What Can YouDo’ tips again and geteveryone in the house to do

one extra action.25-39 points Not bad. There is still roomfor improvement. Try somenew things and you’ll be wellon your way to having a

water friendly household.

40-50 points

Congratulations! You have anofficially water friendlyhousehold. Now how aboutpassing on your ‘Water Friendly’ knowledge to a fewmore people.

T H E S C O R E 1 . A . 5 p t s B . 2 p t s C . 0 p t s

2 . A . 5 p t s B . 2 p t s C . 0 p t s

3 . A . 0 p t s B . 2 p t s C . 5 p t s

4 . A . 5 p t s B . 2 p t s C . 0 p t s

5 . A . 0 p t s B . 2 p t s C . 5 p t s

6 . A . 5 p t s B . 0 p t s C . 2 p t s

7 . A . 5 p t s B . 2 p t s C . 0 p t s

8 . A . 0 p t s B . 2 p t s C . 5 p t s

9 . A . 5 p t s B . 2 p t s C . 0 p t s

1 0 . A . 5 p t s B . 2 p t s C . 0 p t s

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HEY KORO HOW WILL IT BE IN THE FUTURE?



Hey Koro (grandfather), we're taking our boats downto the river. Want to come and watch?

Okay Tama. I'd better come to make sure you

mokopuna (grandchildren) don't upset the taniwha.

We used to play at the awa (river) when I was a boy.No fancy toy boats then. We'd make waka (canoe) out of flax sticks that grew along the banks, and followthem downstream until they were eaten by a taniwhaand disappeared.

We used to paddle our waka on the awa too, moko.Didn't have to watch out for speed boats then either!

He he, Koro, you'd have to eat all of aunties kumara to get the energy to go as fast as them!

No Tama, the beautiful awa water gave us all the sustenance we needed to spend the whole day paddling. Fresh and clear it was, with a few pipi

(shellfish) from the shore for lunch and we'd be set for the day.

Ae Koro? Pipi from the shore? We've never seen a pipithere. I wouldn't drink that water either. It tastesfunny.

No it was different then moko. We'd spend the whole

day swimming before your great grandmother called ushome for kai (food).

Ae Koro! It was so hot but mum wouldn't let us kids go to jump off the jetty. She said we'd get sick and had to wait until they took the signs down.

Yes moko. The awa has changed since I was a boy.Too many people not taking enough care with what they put into the river and the streams that flow into it.

There were Rahui (rules) on the streams where wecaught eels and gathered watercress. We watched those waters closely to make sure they weren't polluted. The Rahui looked after the Mauri (lifeforce)

of that site so that the water would be protected.

We were told that taniwha guarded these sites,to make sure that nothing bad entered the waters.

Like the silver fish on the city’s stormwater catchpitsKoro? Dad told us they were there to remind us that only rain should go down a stormwater drain, or elsethe fish will die.

Yes moko..... we caught plenty of fish when I was aboy. Lots of eels, trout and whitebait...

We've only caught a big orange carp when we gofishing koro...Koro, it's changed so much since you were a boy

...how will it be for my mokopuna?

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HEY KORO HOW WILL IT BE IN THE FUTURE?

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS



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This booklet was produced by the Hamilton City Council.It is part of the Environmental Education for Sustainable Living programmeand information booklet series.

The booklet is accompanied by a series of seminars on water issues,and a range of opportunities to experience Hamilton’s preciouswater resources.

Look out for upcoming booklets on:● Waste● Energy● Transport●

Biodiversity● Climate Change● Green Retail

INFORMATION SOURCESHamilton City CouncilEnvironment Waikato

Nga Mana Toopu o Kirikiriroa (special thanks to Wiremu Puke)

● Support REUSE and help us save paper. If you no longer need thisbooklet, share it with a friend or return it to Hamilton City Councilso that we can pass it on to someone else to read.

Printed July 2003 International Year of Freshwater Printed on recycled, chlorine free paper.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

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