Reducing pollution from network discharges (Network Discharges Programme)

We propose that these consents would provide the legal framework for a new system of integrated network-wide planning and management, in partnership with mana whenua and with input from the community, that would take us towards Te Mana o te Wai, the health and wellbeing of the water. Read more in the background section.

The consent applications are expected to evolve over coming months. 

In October 2023, we sought feedback primarily on the proposed community engagement framework, that has been developed with a small focus group of community representatives. 

In 2024, Wellington Water is working through the potential implications of the proposed change to Greater Wellington Regional Council’s Natural Resources Plan, known as Plan Change 1.

Contact us by email with any questions or comments networkconsents@wellingtonwater.co.nz

We want to work towards Te Mana o te Wai in partnership with mana whenua and with input from the community.

New national and regional requirements  put Te Mana o te Wai at the centre of freshwater management, so that the health and well-being of the water is protected.

Together these national and regional directions require WWL to manage stormwater and wastewater networks to reduce the contamination discharged into streams, rivers, harbours and coastal waters.

Legally, we are required to have consent under the Resource Management Act for discharges into waterbodies. We are applying for network-wide consents that would provide a more comprehensive and integrated approach covering Wellington, Porirua, Upper Hutt and Lower Hutt.

To find out more, download the proposed community engagement framework  or read the current consent applications.

Wellington Water has lodged applications for:

• a single global stormwater discharge consent and
• for three separate wet weather overflow discharge consents for the three urban wastewater networks:
  • Wellington (including Karori),
  • Porirua (including parts of north Wellington that drain to the Porirua wastewater treatment plant),
  • and Hutt Valley and Wainuiomata.

We expect some elements of these applications will be revised and updated before public notification, as we continue to engage.  Public notification is not expected before mid-2024.

You can access each application under the 'Draft Resource Consents' tab on this project page.

Proposed approach

Read our Towards Te Mana o te Wai infographic for a summary of our overall approach. 

The main elements of the proposed approach would be:

• A Collaborative Committee, with representation from mana whenua and asset owners (councils) would have oversight of the implementation of the consent. Note this is subject to ongoing discussions with mana whenua iwi.
• Community input at:
  • a ‘global’(four-city-wide) level and
  • a local, or sub-catchment level.

• strategic direction as laid out in a global Stormwater Management Strategy (SMS) and three network-wide strategic wastewater overflow reduction plans (Wellington, Porirua and Hutt Valley). These plans would be reviewed every six years.
• To deliver this ‘big picture’, smaller local or sub-catchment infrastructure improvement plans would be developed, for both wastewater and stormwater, with local community input. These will be developed over time in a sequence overseen by the Collaborative Committee. Sub-catchment details are set out in the Stormwater Story Map online

To find out more, download the Proposed Community Engagement Framework.

Wastewater 

You can view these documents below: 

• Overall summary 
• Full draft resource consents:

1. Hutt Valley and Wainuiomata (Part One and Part Two) 
2. Porirua (Part One and Part Two)
3. Wellington (Part One and Part Two) 

Stormwater 

You can view these documents below: 

• Overall summary 
• Draft Global Stormwater Consent:

1. Resource Consent Application (Part One) including Appendix A
2. Assessment of Effects on the Environment (AEE)
3. Proposed Consent Conditions

• Stormwater Management Strategy (which helps inform the above consent)