Whakaitihia ngā tūraru waipuke ki tō whare
Reduce flooding risks on your property
Keep drains clear
Keep drains clear of litter, debris, leaves and rubbish.
Avoid planting near pipes. Roots may damage or block underground pipes.
If you are building or renovating, keep sediment and construction waste away from drains.
To get assistance, look for a registered plumber or drainage contractor. See the
Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board website.
Our tip
Check the
GIS viewer first to find out where stormwater pipes are located.
Add permeable areas
If you plan to landscape or build, consider adding more
permeable areas.
Besides lawns and grassy patches, there are pavements that absorb water. Permeable pavements have a porous surface that allows stormwater to soak through. This minimises runoff going into drains.
Porous concrete and asphalt are good permeable paving for car parks, driveways and paths.
Manage water flow
Be mindful of how water flows and collects on your property. Take a note of low areas where water may pool.
Shape your driveway and other paved areas so that water flows away from your house and into a drain.
If the ground level outside your house is the same as the inside floor level you are more likely to be flooded. Maintain a step up between the outside and inside of your house.
Do not block overland flow paths
An overland flow path is a route that rain takes to reach waterways during heavy rainfall. When blocked, it can cause flooding in your property or onto neighbouring properties.
Do not build fences, sheds and other structures that block overland flow paths. Raising the ground level around such paths may cause more flooding.
You have to accept stormwater runoff that naturally flows onto your property. To know more, read the
Stormwater Bylaw.
To know more about overland flow paths and how to manage them, see
Healthy Waters forms and guides.
Our tip
Check the
GIS viewer first to find out whether your property has an overland flow path.
Design to minimise damage
If you live in an area at risk of flooding, it may be impossible to divert all water away from your building.
If you're designing a new building or renovation in these areas, you should:
- raise your floor level
- choose flood-resistant wall and floor coverings
- place electrical sockets higher on the wall.
See the
National Emergency Management Agency website for more information.
Related topics
Consider stormwater when building | | https://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/building-and-consents/stormwater | Consider stormwater when building | If you are doing any sort of development, one of the factors you need to consider is stormwater. Find out what you need to know about stormwater before you begin. | | | | aspx | | | | | | | | | Stormwater | |
Auckland Emergency Management | | https://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/about-auckland-council/Pages/auckland-civil-defence-emergency-management.aspx | Auckland Emergency Management | Auckland Emergency Management works with key organisations to ensure effective delivery of civil defence emergency management. | | | | aspx | | | | | | | | | Civil defence | |
Stormwater risks, requirements and responsibilities | | https://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/building-and-consents/stormwater/Pages/stormwater-risks-requirements-responsibilities.aspx | Stormwater risks, requirements and responsibilities | Find out about what risks and responsibilities developers have relating to stormwater. | | | | aspx | | | | | | | | | Building and consents | |
Design of the stormwater system | | https://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/building-and-consents/stormwater/Pages/design-of-stormwater-system.aspx | Design of the stormwater system | The stormwater system has to meet design standards that reduce environmental impacts, flood risk, maintenance costs and other guidelines. | | | | aspx | | | | | | | | | Stormwater
Building and consents | |
Discharging stormwater under our Network Discharge Consent (NDC) | | https://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/building-and-consents/stormwater/Pages/discharging-stormwwater-under-ndc.aspx | Discharging stormwater under our Network Discharge Consent (NDC) | If you are planning a development we may be able to authorise the discharge of stormwater under our regional Network Discharge Consent (NDC). | | | | aspx | | | | | | | | | | |
Missing, dislodged or damaged manhole or catchpit cover | | https://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/environment/looking-after-aucklands-water/flooding-blockages/Pages/missing-dislodged-damaged-manhole-cover.aspx | Missing, dislodged or damaged manhole or catchpit cover | Report missing, dislodged or damaged manhole covers, grilles and other stormwater assets urgently. Displaced assets pose a threat to public safety. | | | | aspx | | | | | | | | | Stormwater | |
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