Discharging Stormwater

A resource consent for discharging stormwater into the ground where there is no connection to the local stormwater system. A consent to discharge stormwater is usually only necessary for industrial and trade premises. This means that in most cases you do not need consent to discharge stormwater from domestic dwellings. However, if you wish to discharge stormwater to land or water from a non-industrial or trade premise other than via a connection to a city or district council’s stormwater network, you will need a resource consent if the discharge will not comply with all of the conditions in Rule 42 of the RRMP.

Before you apply

Before you apply, please read:

• How to apply for a consent
• Technical Information on consent requirements
• Guidance Notes
• Application forms

Contact Us

Please note that different rules apply to consents within the coastal environment governed by the Hawke’s Bay Regional Coastal Environment Plan.

Technical Information - Consents for Stormwater Discharge

The following technical information gives details on consent requirements -

Controlled Activity 
Receiving Systems 
Expert Engineer Advice

A consent to discharge stormwater is necessary for industrial and trade premises. This means you do not generally need consent to discharge stormwater from single domestic dwellings, but may need consent for residential developments. You should also check with your  local Council for any stormwater management requirements for your site, and if you intend to connect to a local Council reticulated stormwater network.

Controlled Activity

If resource consent is required, it is a Controlled Activity under Rule 43 of the RRMP. The matters for control are:

• Location of the point of diversion and discharge including its catchment area.
• Volume, rate, timing and duration of the discharge, in relation to a specified design rainfall event (at least 1 in x year).
• Effects of the activity on downstream flooding.
• Contingency measures in the event of pipe capacity exceedance.
• Actual or likely adverse effects on fisheries, wildlife, habitat or amenity values of any surface water body.
• Actual or likely adverse effect on the potability of any groundwater.
• Duration of consent.
• A compliance monitoring programme.
• A bond.
• Administrative charges.

Receiving Systems

Industrial sites are potentially significant sources of contamination to receiving systems/environments.  These receiving systems are discussed in some detail in the ‘Waterway Design Guide’ 

• Streams
• Ground
• Estuaries
• Harbours
• Open coasts
• Lakes.

This guideline provides information on:

• Source control and site housekeeping
• Industries, contaminants of concern and appropriate treatment practices
• Stormwater treatment for contamination reduction.

Expert Engineer Help

Stormwater management and treatment design is complex and will require an engineer for a design solution. It would be advisable to find a Chartered Professional Engineer (CPEng) within the Hawke’s Bay region that has experience designing stormwater management systems.

Guidance Notes

Please read the relevant guidance notes to assist you in filling out the application form

• Water discharges (not in the coastal environment)

Rules for activities in the coastal strip governed by the Coastal Environment Plan vary from the RRMP -

• Water discharges in the coastal environment

Application Forms & Deposit

This application needs to be signed by the applicant, however, it is generally completed by the stormwater system designer.

Applications can be lodged via email to the consentadvisor@hbrc.govt.nz or physically to any of our offices, please check the front page of your applications Form A for full lodgement instructions.

Administration Form 'A'

Discharging Stormwater Form 'B'

Contact Us

You can contact the Consents Advisor +64 6 835 9200 consentadvisor@hbrc.govt.nz with any questions about the consenting process.

A resource consent is a legal document. Keep it in a safe place and check it regularly to be sure you are fully aware of conditions.