Did you know the stormwater drains you see on the side of the road lead directly into our rivers, streams and the ocean? Many people assume that whatever travels down these drains gets treated, but in most situations, this is not the case.

In urban areas of Canterbury, stormwater drains usually lead directly to waterways. This means that sediment, chemicals and contaminants that enter our stormwater pipes go directly to streams, wetlands, and the sea.

This threatens Canterbury’s water quality and aquatic life and comes at a cost to ratepayers. Councils can spend millions each year on construction and maintenance to improve stormwater quality.