Managing wastewater and stormwater on school property

Manage wastewater discharges

Wastewater is the outflow of used water. Schools must:

• not discharge wastewater containing prohibited or dangerous chemicals
• minimise stormwater drainage to wastewater networks
• manage any wastewater overflows or discharges to sensitive environments.

You must follow any council requirements in your area. Contact your local and regional council for more information about wastewater and stormwater.

Manage stormwater

Stormwater is untreated rainwater that flows to a waterway or dedicated stormwater network. Schools must:

• make sure stormwater discharges do not cause flooding or damage to neighbouring properties
• install devices to capture gross contaminants when discharge is to a stream or water body
• clean sumps and chambers every year to remove debris
• maintain and replant any stormwater wetlands or natural treatment systems
• follow any specific conditions in stormwater discharge consents.

Schools with on-site wastewater systems

Any on-site wastewater systems such as septic tanks must meet:

• regional council plan requirements
• specific conditions if your school has a discharge consent.

An accredited professional must service all wastewater systems regularly. You must keep a service report each time. Have your systems serviced every:

• 3 years for primary treatment systems
• 6 months for advanced wastewater treatment systems.

You must also meet your regional plan or consent requirements for:

• wastewater daily limits, verified by flow measurement (if required)
• treated wastewater quality.

New builds or other developments

Contact us if you are thinking about building or changing the school environment in some way. You will need to consider the impact on your wastewater and stormwater systems.

Property project procurement for schools

Resource consent

Councils issue resource consents for stormwater and wastewater in the name of the school. This means schools are responsible for meeting consent conditions. Schools must report on compliance to the regional council every year.

Schools are liable for any consent fees levied by the regional council or unitary authority.