Stormwater network

The stormwater network is separate from the sewer network.

Each system discharges to different points:

  • stormwater to Council stormwater
  • stormwater to sea.

If a connection (stub connection) already exists from the Council main to the point of discharge (typically the property boundary), then building consent approval will be required to connect to the point of discharge.

If no connection exists then a Public Utility application must be made and approval given before you are allowed to connect.

For information on how to locate your stormwater network (e.g. pipes), please follow the link below:

Locate your water, sewer and stormwater pipes

Connect to the stormwater network

By email

Step 1.Check your property

Before any work is started on-site, please contact us to confirm that your property is in an area that has access to Council's stormwater network, that a connection point exists to the property boundary and the system has enough capacity.

Phone: 09 430 4200

Online:  Enquire online

For most properties, a connection point would have been laid to each section when Council's stormwater reticulation system was built.

Step 2.Apply for a stormwater connection

There might not be a stormwater connection on your property. In that case, a Public Utility Service Connection / Disconnection application form must be completed and submitted to us.

The applicant must be the owner of the land, or the lease holder, or a person who has agreed to unconditionally purchase or lease the land

Public Utility Connection / Disconnection Application(PDF, 2MB)

Step 3.Select and engage approved contractors

We recommend that you agree the price and availability with the approved Contractor prior to making the application. The contractor needs to be nominated on application form. 

Find an approved contractor

Step 4.Email us

Email us the completed application form(s) and supporting documentation to: 

Email:  mailroom@wdc.govt.nz

Step 5.Pay fee

A fee will be charged and we will contact you about the payable fees.  You can pay either online, in-person at one of our Customer Service centres or by phone.

Pay an application fee or invoice 

The application fee is separate to the costs payable to contractors for physical works and obtaining As-builts information.

Water connection fees

Drainage fees and charges

Step 6.Assessment

Your application will be processed once the fee and application form are received.

We will assess your application and if approved, we will send you an approval letter.  Once approved, the work can be carried out by a licensed contractor.

Step 7.Book inspection

You must arrange for us to carry out an inspection prior to back-filling the new drainage and pump unit a minimum of 48 hours ahead of the time you require the inspection.

Book an inspection online

Step 8.Provide final documents

For a gravity stormwater system, final as-built plans to be provided within one month after the commissioning of the system.

Upload final documents online

By post

Step 1.Check your property

Before any work is started on-site, please contact us to confirm that your property is in an area that has access to Council's stormwater network, that a connection point exists to the property boundary and the system has enough capacity.

Phone: 09 430 4200

Online:  Enquire online

For most properties, a connection point would have been laid to each section when Council's stormwater reticulation system was built.

Step 2.Apply for a stormwater connection

There might not be a stormwater connection on your property. In that case, a Public Utility Service Connection / Disconnection application form must be completed and submitted to us.

The applicant must be the owner of the land, or the lease holder, or a person who has agreed to unconditionally purchase or lease the land

Public Utility Connection / Disconnection Application(PDF, 2MB)

Step 3.Select and engage approved contractors

We recommend that you agree the price and availability with the approved Contractor prior to making the application. The contractor needs to be nominated on application form. 

Find an approved contractor

Step 4.Post it to us

Post the completed application form(s) and supporting documentation to: 

Whangarei District Council 
Private Bag 9023
Te Mai
Whangārei 0143

Step 5.Pay fee

A fee will be charged and we will contact you about the payable fees.  You can pay either online, in-person at one of our Customer Service centres or by phone.

Pay an application fee or invoice 

The application fee is separate to the costs payable to contractors for physical works and obtaining As-builts information.

Water connection fees

Drainage fees and charges

Step 6.Assessment

Your application will be processed once the fee and application form are received.

We will assess your application and if approved, we will send you an approval letter.  Once approved, the work can be carried out by a licensed contractor.

Step 7.Book inspection

You must arrange for us to carry out an inspection prior to back-filling the new drainage and pump unit a minimum of 48 hours ahead of the time you require the inspection.

Book an inspection online

Step 8.Provide final documents

For a gravity stormwater system, final as-built plans to be provided within one month after the commissioning of the system.

Upload final documents online

In-person

Step 1.Check your property

Before any work is started on-site, please contact us to confirm that your property is in an area that has access to Council's stormwater network, that a connection point exists to the property boundary and the system has enough capacity.

Phone: 09 430 4200

Online:  Enquire online

For most properties, a connection point would have been laid to each section when Council's stormwater reticulation system was built.

Step 2.Apply for a stormwater connection

There might not be a stormwater connection on your property. In that case, a Public Utility Service Connection / Disconnection application form must be completed and submitted to us.

The applicant must be the owner of the land, or the lease holder, or a person who has agreed to unconditionally purchase or lease the land

Public Utility Connection / Disconnection Application(PDF, 2MB)

Step 3.Select and engage approved contractors

We recommend that you agree the price and availability with the approved Contractor prior to making the application. The contractor needs to be nominated on application form. 

Find an approved contractor

Step 4.Bring into us

Bring your completed application form along with supporting documentation and payment into one of our Customer Service centres:

Te Iwitahi
 9 Rust Avenue, Whangārei
Hours:  Monday to Friday – 8:00am to 4:30pm
Closed public holidays

Ruakākā service centre 
9 Takutai Place, Ruakākā
Hours:  Monday to Friday – 8:30am to 4:00pm
Closed public holidays

Service centre at isite
92 Otaika Road, Raumanga
Hours: Monday to Friday – 9:00am to 12:00pm and 12:30pm to 4:30pm
Closed public holidays

Step 5.Pay fee

A fee will be charged and you can pay fees by cash, eftpos or credit card at our service centres.  

The application fee is separate to the costs payable to contractors for physical works and obtaining As-builts information.

Water connection fees

Drainage fees and charges

Step 6.Assessment

Your application will be processed once the fee and application form are received.

We will assess your application and if approved, we will send you an approval letter.  Once approved, the work can be carried out by a licensed contractor.

Step 7.Book inspection

You must arrange for us to carry out an inspection prior to back-filling the new drainage and pump unit a minimum of 48 hours ahead of the time you require the inspection.

Book an inspection online

Step 8.Provide final documents

For a gravity stormwater system, final as-built plans to be provided within one month after the commissioning of the system.

Upload final documents online

We approve contractors who carry out work on our stormwater and wastewater (sewer) systems. There are two types of approved contractors.

Both types are required to have the approval of our Wastewater and / or Stormwater Department before starting any physical work.

Registered contractor

  • Authorised to carry out work on internal connections for public sewer / stormwater assets (subdivision), can install public / private pressure sewer pumping units (if they have a product licence) and are also allowed to do welding work.
  • They cannot make connections to or maintain live mains or carry out shutdowns of live reticulation.

Licensed contractor

  • Can do everything a registered contractor can do and carry out work on live mains, including connecting to the public sewer / stormwater reticulation system(s) and shutting down the sewer / stormwater network to an area to enable the work.  Some can also install low pressure sewer systems (if they hold product licence).

List of registered and licensed contractors(PDF, 181KB)

Currently stormwater is not treated or screened after it enters the network. What goes down the drain goes to the harbour and out to sea. Any contaminants will affect the quality of the water and may harm plants and animals.

Everyone has a responsibility to keep the stormwater free of pollutants and contaminants. Some of the ways you can help include:

  • washing your car on the lawn instead of in the driveway
  • disposing of swimming and spa pool water properly
  • rinsing things like paintbrushes in your sink if it is connected to the main sewer system or by following the instructions from the paint manufacturer.

If you are experiencing frequent flooding, particularly if it involves living areas, please contact us.

We are responsible for stormwater downstream from your property boundary (with the exception of some rural areas where this responsibility lies with the Northland Regional Council).

Any stormwater problems within a property boundary are the responsibility of the property owner.

The Stormwater Management Bylaw:

  • covers connection to the stormwater system
  • outlines the responsibility of property owners for maintenance of the system on private property
  • and sets out the point of discharge.

Stormwater Management Bylaw

Report it

Use our online forms to report drains and stormwater issues.

Report an issue

Enquiries

Use our online form to make an enquiry about public utilities.

Enquire online

Phone: 09 430 4230

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