Getting the stormwater message across: Supporting the effects of selected residential activities on stormwater quality

Abstract

The Avon River/Ōtākaro and Heathcote River/Ōpāwaho drain catchments which are predominantly urbanised, and stormwater has a major effect on the water quality of these rivers. The activities carried out by residents within these urban catchments have the potential to significantly impact stormwater quality, and increasing community awareness and responsibility is a goal of the Canterbury Regional Council (Environment Canterbury). This report was initiated under Environment Canterbury’s Improving Urban Waterway Health programme (IUWH) and aims to provide supporting information for a public marketing campaign intended to promote responsible stormwater behaviour in four selected residential activities; car washing, use of outdoor cleaners and moss treatments, disposal of cigarette butts, and the disposal of DIY-type hazardous waste. Specifically the objectives of this review were to: . Review local and international research pertaining to the effects of these common residential activities on freshwater aquatic ecosystems . Predict the likely effects of these activities on the Avon/Ōtākaro and Heathcote /Ōpāwaho rivers and their tributaries in Christchurch . Assess whether the available information is sufficient to support the suggested ‘impact’ messages designed to change residential behaviour; and . Identify gaps in the information available on the effects of the selected activities.