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, 314KB)

Step 3.Select and engage licensed 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. 

Licensed contractors

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.

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, 314KB)

Step 3.Select and engage licensed 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. 

Licensed contractors

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.

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, 314KB)

Step 3.Select and engage licensed 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. 

Licensed contractors

Step 4.Bring into us

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

Forum North customer service centre
7 Rust Avenue, Whangārei
Monday to Friday - 8:00am to 4:30pm
Closed public holidays

Ruakākā service centre 
9 Takutai Place, Ruakākā
Monday to Friday - 8:30am to 4:00pm
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.

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

Because connection involves working on the 'live' stormwater network, the work must be done by an approved licensed waste and drainage contractor.

Work on any pipes which are to be vested with, and maintained by us on completion, shall be undertaken by either a Licensed or Registered Contractor for Wastewater.

We generally maintain pipe work constructed beyond the private / public property boundary up to and including the main stormwater line.

List of licensed contractors(PDF, 143KB)

Specifications for licensed contractors(PDF, 1MB)

Please send your licensed contractors application to us via email:

mailroom@wdc.govt.nz

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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