WATER

G N L I V I A HOUSEHOLD GUIDE TO IMPROVING WATER QUALITY AND MANAGING WATER USE IN HAMILTON

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
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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 us understand the realities of managing our water use, or understand how the impacts of our everyday activities affect these expectations?

Our Watery World ................................................. The Natural Water Cycle ........................................

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The Importance of Water in Hamilton .................... 5 The Importance of Water to Maori ........................ 5 Hamiltons Water Cycle .......................................... 6 The Water Cycle in Hamilton ................................. 8 The Waikato River Catchment ............................... 10 What Affects the Quality of the Waikato River ...... 11

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

RIVER TO THE TAP

(Hamiltons Water Supply) ...................................... Water Use and Conservation .................................. How Much Water Do We Use? .............................. Where Does All the Water Go?............................... WHAT CAN YOU DO? Conserving Water at Home .................................... 12 12 14 14 15

relevance to our homes and explains how the activities of a household, may in turn impact upon the regions 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.

16 The Treatment Process ........................................... 16 Maori Beliefs in Wastewater Disposal ..................... 17 WHAT CAN YOU DO? Keeping the Waste Out of Water ........................... 17

WASTEWATER TREATMENT ...........

STORMWATER IN HAMILTON ....

Stormy Waters - The Issues with Stormwater ......... How Does Stormwater Become Polluted? ............. Stemming Stormwater From the Start ................... Hey We Live Down Here ...................................... WHAT CAN YOU DO? Saving the Drain for Rain ...................................... 22

18 18 20 21 21

Further Information on Water ............................... 24 Take the Water Wise Test ...................................... 25 Waikato Water Story ............................................ 26

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OUR WATERY WORLD

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

THE NATURAL WATER CYCLE

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 the natural water cycle. Water moves around in the water cycle as part of an interconnected system, from rain to streams and rivers, groundwater, the sea, clouds, and back to rain again. Water is evaporated (heated to become vapour or steam) from the surface of the earth and from oceans and lakes. It condenses in the atmosphere forming clouds. Eventually these clouds become saturated and the water falls as rain, hail or snow back to earths surface 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 a puddle of dirty water with oil, chemicals and other pollutants dissolved in it. On a hot day this puddle will disappear leaving behind a dirty residue on the ground. The water has evaporated to the atmosphere as pure water vapour leaving behind most of the pollutants that were present in the puddle. This is how water is cleansed and cycled around the earth.

Surely there should be plenty of water for everyone!

Actually, only a tiny percentage of this seemingly abundant water is usable. Over 99% of the worlds water is either too salty, frozen in glaciers and polar ice caps, too deep underground to extract or too polluted to use. Unpolluted fresh water is becoming more and more scarce. Since all living things depend on water to survive, the little water that we do have is very precious.

Our planet cant make any more, it must reuse and recycle what there is.

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However, this doesnt mean that we will always have an endless supply of good clean water.

Water can become contaminated at various stages of the water cycle. As droplets of water pass through the atmosphere they pick up very small air-borne particles, such as fumes from cars and industries and carry them to the surface of earth. This is why sometimes rainwater must be filtered before we can drink it. On land, water picks up pollutants as it passes through the landscape, over and through soil, into groundwater, rivers and lakes. These pollutants can include dairy shed effluent, chemicals and fertilisers from farms and orchards, run off from roads or stormwater and wastewater discharges from towns 4

and cities. All of these pollutants can make water unsuitable for drinking, for recreational use or for the health 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 affect water quality in some way almost every day. Water is essential to our survival, so we must treat it as the precious resource that it is by being aware of our own impacts and by practicing good habits in and around our homes.

THE IMPORTANCE OF WATER IN HAMILTON

Although not on the coast, Hamilton has a number of important water resources. The Waikato River flows through the middle of the city, joined by a number of streams that flow out of Hamiltons vast network of gullies. There are also a number of shallow peat lakes and a small wetland area. Hamiltons water resources are important for many reasons: 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 Hamiltons drainage network channelling water from urban and rural 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 along the river. For Hamiltonians the health and well-being of the Waikato 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

Maori have strong cultural, traditional and historic links with wetlands and inland waterways, including lakes, rivers, streams and springs. These taonga (treasures) are spiritually significant and closely linked to the identities of the 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 entry or to safe guard a key area of water, such as a customary fishing area preserved for seasonal use or the site of a drowning. A Rahui was often put in place to maintain the Mauri (life force) of a location. Particularly in sites where there was an abundance of fresh water and Kai (food). Such areas were placed under Rahui sustaining its Mauri and thereby protecting and managing a resource, which was necessary for the sustenance and survival of the tribe. Streams and waterways that fed into, or out of these locations were closely watched to ensure that no effluents were discharged into the area, and that the protective deities of the water would ensure longevity of the 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 streams where eels, watercress or the other traditional foods are 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 (spiritual beings) lived was prohibited. 5

HAMILTONS WATER CYCLE

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THE WATER CYCLE IN HAMILTON

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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. We use 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, and the 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 Hamiltons 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 the previous page shows the key features in Hamiltons water cycle. The diagram shows Hamilton citys water cycle as a small part of the much larger natural water cycle. It includes, interwoven into the natural cycle, a network of water pipes and drainage systems. These systems have been built so that people can divert water from the natural water cycle for our own use, before returning it to the cycle. Can you track these systems?

A. The water cycle in

Hamilton begins at the Waikato River where water is taken by the Water Treatment Station, treated so that it is safe to drink, and then piped to the citys homes, businesses and factories. See page 12 to find out more.

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B. We use this water in

many ways before it disappears down the plughole or is flushed down the toilet into a network of wastewater pipes. These pipes take our wastewater to the Wastewater Treatment Plant where it undergoes a complex series of primary, secondary and tertiary treatment before the treated effluent is discharged back into the Waikato River. See page 16 to find out more.

C. The stormwater
network is the other part of Hamiltons water cycle. When it rains, water runs off the citys roads, car parks, driveways, rooftops and paths and into gutters and stormwater catchpits. This water then travels through a network of stormwater drains and into the nearest natural waterway. See page 18 to find out more.

THE WAIKATO RIVER CATCHMENT

G N I I L B N S
10 It is obvious that in Hamilton, the Waikato River plays an important part in sustaining the citys water needs.

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 Zealands longest river extending 425km from Lake Taupo to its final destination at 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. The land that drains water into the Waikato River is known as the river catchment, and covers a huge 14,260km2. Water draining from this catchment into the river brings with it sediment, chemicals, heavy metals, nutrients, oil, detergents, farm effluent and wastewater. Some of these pollutants settle in the river sediment. Other pollutants accumulate and cause the water quality of the Waikato River to deteriorate further downstream. Some of the discharges into the river are from point source discharges which can be from places like wastewater treatment plants and factories. Fortunately they can be monitored and traced so that pollution of the river can be prevented. Unfortunately, there are many discharges from non-point sources where the source of the pollution is unknown. These discharges pose a bigger problem, as it is harder to stop this form of pollution happening. Non-point source discharges are the biggest form of pollution of the Waikato River and include surface runoff and groundwater flow from farmland. Stormwater runoff from streets and urban areas can also be classed as non-point source discharges as it is difficult to determine where the pollutants in the stormwater actually originated.

WHAT AFFECTS THE QUALITY OF THE WAIKATO RIVER?

Despite being the most intensively used river in the country, the Waikatos water quality is considered to be excellent 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 to be healthy. Water quality may deteriorate from discharges into the river, weather conditions that make worse some pollution, or from certain activities that take place on the river or within the river catchment.

Stormwater Runoff from cities and towns is probably the next most significant non-point source of contaminants to the Waikato River. Although mechanisms are in place that prevent some of the contaminants in stormwater from entering the river, stormwater does have an impact on river water quality. Urban and industrial waste water Point source discharges from industry are comparatively minor, and as the source of this pollution is known, can be regularly monitored. Arsenic is a pollutant present in the Waikato River that comes from geothermal activity in the upper reaches of the river. Hamiltons water treatment station treats for arsenic leaving it safe to drink.
Waste water treatment has improved considerably over the last two decades. Discharges of treated wastewater from wastewater treatment plants along the river, are monitored to ensure that the quality of the effluent has no impact on river water quality.

Agriculture Farming is probably the main non-point source of contaminants to the Waikato River. Dairy shed effluent and the urine from dairy herds on pasture, leaches into groundwater and eventually flows into the river. This waste is high in nutrients and bacteria. Excessive nutrients can encourage the growth of nuisance aquatic plants that choke waterways and out-compete native plant species, especially during summer.
Sediment flowing into the river from streams and other rivers also reduces water clarity. Water clarity declines remarkably the further down the Waikato River you go. In Taupo, you can see underwater for over 10 metres while in Hamilton this reduces to only 1-2 metres. At Mercer you can hardly see your feet!

Dams The hydro power stations along the upper Waikato River also affect water clarity. Before these dams were built, it took six days for a drop of water to reach the sea from Lake Taupo. Now it takes a month! The increased time that water is held in dams allows the growth of algal cells (called phytoplankton), especially during hot and sunny weather. These algae make the water look green and reduce clarity.

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RIVER TO THE TAP

Hamiltons Water Treatment Station takes water from the Waikato River upstream of Hamilton city. The station is located on the banks of the Waikato River opposite the Hamilton Gardens, can produce up to 85 million litres of high quality drinking water everyday and pipes it to all urban areas of the city.

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It is interesting to note, that only a very small percentage of this high quality drinking water piped to Hamiltons homes and businesses is used for drinking. Most of it is used for bathing, washing, flushing toilets, watering gardens and in industrial processes.

Thats a lot of water!

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However, the amount of water we take from the Waikato 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 getting water 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 out sediment and other small particles. From here the water is disinfected by the addition of 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 is piped to seven reservoirs situated around the city. These reservoirs allow water to be stored for emergencies and periods of high demand. From here water is piped to our taps and to fire hydrants on our streets.

WATER USE AND CONSERVATION

In Hamilton we have an almost unlimited water supply right on our doorstep, with the Waikato River flowing through the city. Other cities without lakes or rivers, or where rainfall is low, have to monitor and conserve the amounts of water they use so that they dont have water shortages or so that their water supplies dont run out. However, this doesnt mean that here in Hamilton we can use as much water as we want. The more water we use means that more chemicals and electricity are used to treat it. It costs Hamiltons ratepayers to treat water to drinking standards and to deliver this water to our homes. If water is used inefficiently, coupled with a growing population in Hamilton, we could have water shortages in the city in future.

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(HAMILTONS WATER SUPPLY)

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

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 doesnt 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 Hamiltons 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.
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HOW MUCH WATER DO WE USE?

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Households use about 68% of Hamiltons water. The other 32% is used by businesses, industries, schools and hospitals. Everyday, each person in Hamilton uses on average 268 litres of water. Thats well over 1000 glasses of drinking water each. These figures can go up to 700 litres per person on a peak summer day when we are filling 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. In Hamilton we use an extra 263 litres per person per day for toilets, showers, washing and watering the garden.

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A top loading washing machine uses 200 litres per load!

Laundry 15%

Kitchen 5%

A dishwasher uses 20 litres per load!

A full flush toilet uses 11 litres per flush and a half flush toilet uses 6!

Toilet 20% Garden 35%

A garden hose or sprinkler uses 15 litres of water per minute!

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A full bath uses 90 litres per tub! A 5 minute shower with a water saving shower head uses 50 litres.

A running tap uses 10 litres per minute! Bathroom 25% A dripping tap can waste up to 90 litres per week!

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WHAT CAN

YOU DO?

CONSERVING WATER AT HOME

Every time you turn on a tap, think about the long journey that water takes before it reaches you. Be conscious of how much water is disappearing down the plughole. Is it necessary? Have a go at some of these simple water saving tips in your household.

There are plenty of things that you can do around your home to make a difference. They can be your personal contribution to cleaner water, healthier fish and wildlife populations, and a greatly improved environment for your family and community. Some things may seem like a very small contribution, but collectively these actions produce significant neighbourhood and regional environmental benefits. It may take a little thought and practice to get used to doing them at first, but they will soon become an everyday habit. Check out the WHAT CAN 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).

INSIDE

YOU

Dont leave the tap running while brushing your teeth!

Check for leaks around the house (water pipes, toilet cistern, taps). Add a few drops of food colouring to the toilet cistern. If the colour appears in 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 the cistern filling with as much water for each flush. Dont 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 reduce the need to water. Let grass grow longer in summer to help the soil retain moisture. Water the garden using water from the sink or bath (grey water). Use a bucket to wash the car rather than leaving the 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 watering the garden.

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WASTEWATER TR
So, where does all of this water go after weve used it and it disappears down the plughole?
Because this water is now contaminated, it is called wastewater or sewage. Hamilton and its residents produce an average of 45 million litres of wastewater every day. Wastewater is actually 99.9% water and contains less than 0.1% waste solids. These solids include dissolved detergents and chemicals, food scraps, dirt, oil and grease, human waste, sand and other small pieces of rubbish. It also includes bacteria and viruses that can make people ill. When we flush our toilets, drain our baths, showers, sinks and washing machines, the wastewater is carried through a network of pipes and ends up at the Hamilton City Council Wastewater Treatment Plant in Pukete Road. We use water as a form of transport to take the waste from our home to the Wastewater Treatment Plant. Once this wastewater gets to the treatment plant, everything that weve disposed of into the wastewater system has to be taken out. This involves a complex and costly three stage treatment process so that the resulting treated water is clean enough to go back into the Waikato River. The wastewater then flows to large primary sedimentation tanks. Here heavy solids, scum and grease are separated from the wastewater and pumped into large heated tanks called digesters. The naturally occurring bacteria in this sludge help to break down some of the solids. This digested sludge becomes less odorous and many disease causing organisms are destroyed. The sludge is then dewatered and can be a valuable soil conditioner for gardens. The methane produced in this process is used to generate energy to power the Treatment Plant. The remaining wastewater (primary effluent) flows to aeration tanks for secondary treatment. Primary effluent is mixed with air and activated sludge, which contains naturally occurring bacteria. The bacteria use most of the organic materials in the effluent as a source of food and energy to grow and reproduce, thereby purifying the wastewater. This process removes most of the nutrient nitrogen found in wastewater.

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 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 doesnt 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 tanks to repopulate them with bacteria. The clear secondary effluent flows on for tertiary treatment which is the final step in the cleansing of Hamilton citys wastewater. Before the treatment plant was upgraded in 2002, effluent was disinfected by the addition of chlorine before its discharge into the river. As the chemical chlorine can have an impact on the life in our waterways, the treatment plant now uses an ultraviolet system to

A S S U

THE TREATMENT PROCESS

The first stage of treatment (primary) starts when wastewater enters the head of the Treatment Plant. Large objects like rags, food scraps and twigs and small heavy particles like sand and gravel are removed. All of this rubbish is then disposed of at the city landfill. 16

EATMENT
disinfect the water and to stop the spread of diseases. The final effluent, a clear liquid low in solids and bacteria, is discharged back into the Waikato River. Environment Waikato monitors the effluent to ensure that it does not impact upon water quality.

WHAT CAN

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KEEPING THE WASTE OUT OF WATER

Help keep the cost of wastewater treatment down and minimise the effects of wastewater disposal on our environment. Try some of these simple things around the house.

MAORI BELIEFS IN WASTEWATER DISPOSAL

As a general rule wastewater was never thrown in water where people ate, drank and swam, and in preEuropean times was usually disposed of in an area of a Pa, away from food preparation and habitation. Ancient Maori were never confronted with the issues that surround wastewater today. Wastewater and stormwater from urban areas were unheard of prior to the arrival of Europeans in the Waikato. Maori therefore did not have customs associated with these issues. However, modern Maori have had to address and interpret 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 nutrients in the effluent to increase the fertility of the land. In principle, wastewater must not enter traditional streams, lakes or rivers, which are food gathering areas or which mark tribal boundaries as this would diminish the Mauri (life force) of these land marks.

SIMPLE THINGS

Dont use the toilet as a waste paper bin. All the solids that go into the toilet have to come out again at the wastewater treatment plant. Keep a small waste paper bin in the bathroom for tissues and cotton buds etc. Never tip paints, engine oil, unwanted drugs or antibiotics down sinks or toilets as they can kill the naturally occurring bacteria that the Treatment Plant uses 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. Dont use your sink waste disposal unit. Compost your food scraps. Remember all this waste has to be removed from your wastewater at the treatment plant and will end up in the landfill. Green waste causes 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 untreated sewage to flow onto properties and into waterways. Use environmentally friendly detergents and cleaning products that dont load our waterways with phosphates. When purchasing appliances, ask the sales staff how much water the appliance uses. A water efficient appliance not only conserves water but also puts less load on the wastewater system.

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STORMWATER IN
Prior to the settling of Hamilton, stormwater was not an issue. The native bush and scrub that covered the land intercepted rainwater, and slowed it so that it soaked into the ground rather than flowing across the surface. The water was filtered as it seeped into the soil and recharged groundwater reserves before emerging as springs in the banks of the Waikato River or into Hamiltons lakes, streams and wetlands. Once houses, roads and footpaths started to be built, people discovered that these impermeable surfaces caused this rainwater to collect in puddles, and made sections and roads muddy. Drains were dug to channel this stormwater away and to prevent flooding. Stormwater no longer soaked into the soil but was directed away into fast moving stormwater channels, designed to minimise urban flooding. Hamiltons stormwater system now copes with the large volumes of water that flow off the citys paved surfaces and rooftops, even in heavy rainstorms. unhealthy for plants and animals. Many of these pollutants dont readily break down, and can accumulate in the sediment in waterways, which over a long period of time can damage the environment.

STORMY WATERS THE ISSUES WITH STORMWATER

Historically, cities have solved stormwater problems by channelling water from paved surfaces away as quickly as possible and into the nearest natural water way. This helps prevent the hazards and health issues of urban flooding on roads and properties. However, getting water away quickly brings with it another set of issues. 1. Getting stormwater off our properties as quickly as possible prevents water from doing what it is supposed to do, filter into the ground. Increasing the amount of water that soaks into the soil replenishes precious groundwater reserves and helps sustain adequate water levels in streams during dry spells. It also filters out many of the pollutants that end up in our stormwater. 2. Fast moving stormwater can erode stream banks and the areas around stormwater outlet pipes, as well as washing sediment from properties and new subdivisions into waterways. Sediment can smother streambeds, cloud water and block light for plants and animals. 3. Stormwater that flows over paved surfaces at high speed also washes pollutants along with it. It is difficult to prevent some of these pollutants getting into waterways once they have entered the stormwater network.

B A S S U T A I N

Have you ever noticed how everything looks cleaner after it rains?
When it rains, water from our roofs, driveways, footpaths and roads, flows over these hard urban surfaces and into gutters and catchpits on the edge of streets. This rainwater picks up oil, litter, animal waste, chemicals, sediment and other pollutants. Some of these pollutants are trapped by the grates in catchpits, or settle out in the catchpit sump and are removed by street cleaners. The remaining stormwater travels through a network of drains and into the nearest natural waterway. In Hamilton this is either the Waikato River, or one of Hamiltons lakes or streams. Some of the pollution that does enter a waterway, such as litter is easy to see, but pollutants that dissolve in the water like chemicals, animal waste, and heavy metals arent so visible. This pollution can lead to algae blooms, can make the river unsafe for swimming and 18

HAMILTON
VIR O N M
So, how do we solve these issues? While Hamilton City Council is responsible for public stormwater systems and managing these systems so that we dont have flooding, everyone is responsible for stormwater on their own properties. A little awareness of how stormwater can become polluted, and a few simple changes in our everyday lives, can make a big difference.
Check out the

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

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WHAT CAN YOU DO?

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HOW DOES STORMWATER BECOME POLLUTED? ON THE STREET

Car washing is a popular weekend activity. But what happens to the wash water when it flows down the driveway? The detergent joins antifreeze, oil, grease, heavy metals, and bits of rust and tyre rubber from the thousands of cars that travel Hamiltons streets everyday. A lot of these materials are washed into the stormwater 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 the dirt and grime off your car. Or you can take it to a commercial car wash. Keeping your car regularly tuned causes less pollution and will help prevent any leaks. Keep an eye out for oil spots on your driveway, soak up any leaks with newspaper and dispose of this in your rubbish.

AROUND THE HOME

What about all of those cleaners, paints and detergents that we use around our homes? If disposed of in the wrong place, they could get into waterways. These chemicals can be poisonous to plants and animals, may use up oxygen in the water as they break down, or block the light that plants and animals need to grow. Keeping these chemicals out of waterways is as simple as making sure that they are not disposed of into the stormwater drain. There are two sets of drains on your property. One for wastewater, and the other to drain stormwater from your roof and section. Find out where your stormwater drain is and make sure it only drains rain!

IN THE GARDEN
Stormwater runoff from your section may be taking with it fertiliser, sediment, pesticides and other chemicals. Avoid getting fertiliser or spray on paved areas 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, and prevents pollutants from the garden getting into waterways. Check out the WHAT CAN DO? section in this booklet for information on how to make a Rain Garden.

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ON THE FOOTPATH
Animal waste on the footpath can wash into waterways and could spread disease. Take a plastic bag when youre out and about and dispose of this waste in a rubbish bin. Leaves piling up in street gutters may be breaking down and sending unwanted nutrients into waterways where they could cause algae blooms and weed growth. Litter and leaves decay in water, a process that uses up oxygen and suffocates fish and insects. Even biodegradable rubbish, like food scraps shouldnt be thrown into waterways.

YOU

STEMMING STORMWATER FROM THE START

In new subdivisions and industrial areas, the opportunity to provide alternative ways of treating stormwater is more achievable and has become a standard requirement in most cities.

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HEY, WE LIVE DOWN HERE!

Some alternative stormwater treatment systems include; Planted swales slow stormwater flows, capture some contaminants and absorb some of the water into the ground. 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 the wetlands trap particles and contaminants carried in stormwater. The particles with contaminants settle out and some are taken up by plants. Some councils minimise the use of stormwater pipes in favour of open drains. Open drains improve water quality and encourage fish and other aquatic life. These drains can also be planted and hereby contribute to a more sustainable environment for the future.
The silver fish on catch pits throughout Hamilton city are there to remind us that whatever we put into a stormwater drain could end up in the river.

Have you noticed the silver fish on catchpits throughout the city, and wondered What are those there for? Well, they dont mean that this is a good fishing spot! The fish is our native Kokopu. It is there to remind us that whatever we put into a stormwater drain will end up 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 youre 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.

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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 dont 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 dont 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.

SAVING THE DRAIN FOR RAIN

Some of the things we do around our homes directly affect the quality of the Waikato River, even though we may live a long way away from it. Find out where the stormwater off your property drains. Keep an eye on these drains to make sure that nothing goes down them that you wouldnt want to swim in.

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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 doing an oil change lay paper down to catch any accidental spills. Mop up spills with an old rag. Never hose spills down stormwater drains. If using water-based paint wash brushes at an inside sink or over the grass or garden. If using oilbased paint wash brushes in a container with thinners, then filter the thinner and re-use. Otherwise let the solvent evaporate and dispose of the solids in your rubbish bag. When cleaning the car, washing windows or other outside areas, dont empty the bucket in the stormwater drain. Tip it on the grass or garden or down the gully trap (outside wastewater drain). Keep your driveway, roadside gutter and catchpits free from litter and leaves. It might only take a minute every now and then to pick up any rubbish and to do a quick sweep. Leaves can be added to your compost heap. Use organic compost rather than adding chemical fertilisers to your garden. When out walking the dog, take a plastic bag to pick up your dogs waste and dispose of it into a rubbish 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 youre landscaping or building. Cover areas where soil is exposed so that rain doesnt wash the soil away.

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BECOME A NEIGHBOURHOOD WATER GUARDIAN!

Water Guardians is about neighbours helping to look after our waterways. Being a Water Guardian means that you are committed to improving the environment 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 great way to let people know that our stormwater drains run straight to the river. Its a great way to meet your neighbours too! Keep an eye on your local stormwater drains and catchpits. A quick sweep up of leaves or litter around your driveway stops this rubbish from getting into the river. Your neighbours may also notice and feel encouraged 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 in your area, or incidences when someone is discharging contaminants into a waterway or a stormwater drain.

Working together we can make a big difference!

Call the Sustainable Environment Team on 838 6483 to become a Water Guardian

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FURTHER INFORMATION ON WATER

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WANT TO KNOW MORE!

Contact Hamilton City Council for more information on Hamiltons 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 Hamiltons Green Whos Who for a directory of organisations in Hamilton who provide information and resources on water. To become a Water Guardian call the Sustainable Environment Team.

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

I S U S T A I N A B L E

USEFUL WEBSITES
www.hcc.govt.nz/sustainability www.ew.govt.nz/ourenvironment/water/index.htm www.wateryear2003.org www.niwa.co.nz/ncwr/ www.mfe.govt.nz/issues/water/ www.environment.govt.nz/indicators/freshwater/

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TAKE THE WATER WISE TEST

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. dont 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 it 7. 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

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.youre trying. Read through the What Can You Do tips again and get everyone in the house to do one extra action.

25-39 points
Not bad. There is still room for improvement. Try some new things and youll be well on your way to having a water friendly household.

40-50 points
Congratulations! You have an officially water friendly household. Now how about passing on your Water Friendly knowledge to a few more people.

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THE SCORE

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

A. A. A. A. A.

5pts 5pts 0pts 5pts 0pts

B. B. B. B. B.

2pts 2pts 2pts 2pts 2pts

C. C. C. C. C.

0pts 0pts 5pts 0pts 5pts

6. 7. 8. 9. 10.

A. A. A. A. A.

5pts 5pts 0pts 5pts 5pts

B. B. B. B. B.

0pts 2pts 2pts 2pts 2pts

C. C. C. C. C.

2pts 0pts 5pts 0pts 0pts

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HEY
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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 we caught 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 citys stormwater catchpits Koro? Dad told us they were there to remind us that only rain should go down a stormwater drain, or else the fish will die. Yes moko..... we caught plenty of fish when I was a boy. Lots of eels, trout and whitebait... We've only caught a big orange carp when we go fishing koro... Koro, it's changed so much since you were a boy ...how will it be for my mokopuna?

Hey Koro (grandfather), we're taking our boats down to 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 follow them downstream until they were eaten by a taniwha and 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!

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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 pipi there. I wouldn't drink that water either. It tastes funny. No it was different then moko. We'd spend the whole day swimming before your great grandmother called us home for kai (food).

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
This booklet was produced by the Hamilton City Council. It is part of the Environmental Education for Sustainable Living programme and information booklet series. The booklet is accompanied by a series of seminars on water issues, and a range of opportunities to experience Hamiltons precious water resources. Look out for upcoming booklets on: Waste Energy Transport Biodiversity Climate Change Green Retail

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Hamilton City Council Environment Waikato Nga Mana Toopu o Kirikiriroa (special thanks to Wiremu Puke)

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INFORMATION SOURCES

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

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

AGENDA 21 IN ACTION

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