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Rotorua Lakes Council will close midday Friday 20 Dec 2024 and reopen Monday 6 Jan 2025. Building services & LIMs are on hold until 10 Jan 2025. Visit our Property & Building section for more information.

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Stormwater

Stormwater is rainwater that falls onto land and buildings. Some soaks into the ground, but a lot runs into gutters, downpipes, and waterways.

To keep Rotorua's waterways and ecosystems clean and healthy, we need to be mindful of what ends up in stormwater. As stormwater flows into streams and lakes, it can carry pollutants that harm our environment.

How we manage stormwater

Industrial stormwater licences

Find out if your business property needs an industrial stormwater licence and how to apply for one. These licences are one of the ways we can protect waterways from contaminants that threaten our freshwater ecosystems.

Apply for an industrial stormwater licence

Stormwater network and assets

Council provides reticulated piped stormwater drainage systems in Rotorua urban areas. These systems carry your property's stormwater into local streams and lakes.

Council must have consent from the relevant regional council to discharge stormwater into waterways.

Bylaws

Our bylaws allow us to manage the stormwater, wastewater and water networks at a local level.

Read our water bylaws

How you can manage stormwater

If stormwater is not carried away quickly, flooding can occur, resulting in property damage and sometimes personal danger.

On your property

For problems with your personal property - for example, the gutters, drains and soak holes - contact a drainlayer or plumber.

Check that gutters and drains are free of debris regularly to avoid blockages or flooding on your property. Also check your stormwater drainage isn't running into the wastewater network, and don't allow or discharge pollutants into storm drains. Read more about how the stormwater and wastewater systems work below.

How the wastewater system works

In the public stormwater network

For other stormwater issues, including in the public stormwater system, tell us directly via the form below or by contacting Council's Customer Centre.

Report a public stormwater issue

Connecting to the stormwater network

Rotorua Lakes Council has a stormwater connections/disconnections process that enables Council to manage the stormwater network.

For new connections or disconnections to Rotorua Lakes Council's stormwater system, visit the pages below.

Water connections
Water disconnections

Best management practise

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