Stormwater system design and public network access

Get clear guidance on stormwater system design requirements, Network Discharge Consent (NDC) obligation, and how to safely access the public stormwater network.

What the stormwater system design needs to meet

• Auckland Council standards, including the requirements of the regional Network Discharge Consent (NDC).
• Environmental requirements.
• Minimisation of flood risk to life and property.
• Safety.
• Service life, maintenance risks and costs.

Stormwater Code of Practice

This guideline document sets minimum standards for designing and constructing:

• public stormwater assets
• assets to be vested Full transfer of ownership rights and authority over an asset. to the council.

The code of practice is available on the Auckland Design Manual website. 

Auckland region Network Discharge Consent

If you are planning a development, we may be able to authorise the discharge of stormwater under our regionwide Network Discharge Consent (NDC).

The NDC sets out a range of requirements for connecting to the stormwater network and assets to be vested to the council.

Before applying for the NDC, refer to:

For more information about the NDC, email our Healthy Waters team HWDevelopment@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz.

Entering the public stormwater network

​If you are building or doing any maintenance work, you may need access into the stormwater network. You are also responsible for getting any necessary permission from the landowner.

Non-physical works

If the job requires access to the stormwater network for a non-physical work activity, email this form to HWDevelopment@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz when complete.

Types of non-physical works

• CCTV.
• Jetting and other cleaning.
• Visual inspection requiring physical entry into the network.
• Any other physical access to the network not involving physical works.

Physical works

For any activity involving physical works to the stormwater network, such as pipe connections or maintenance, you need an engineering approval. For more information, visit Engineering applications.

Road corridor access

If the job involves any work in the road corridor, make a Corridor Access Request through Auckland Transport.