Achieving the Potential of Stormwater Ponds by Improving their operation and Maintenance

Auckland Council owns and maintains approximately 500 public stormwater management ponds and wetlands, with a total replacement value of $90 million. These assets were built to either mitigate the adverse environmental effects from new developments or as a result of Council action to improve the existing urban environment. It is expected that more stormwater ponds and wetlands will be built and vested with Council in the future.

The maintenance of these stormwater treatment facilities is critically important, as only if they are designed, built, operated and maintained correctly can they achieve their intended outcome.

This paper outlines the actions taken by Auckland Council’s Stormwater Operations Group to improve the operation and maintenance of these stormwater ponds. The paper focuses on:

Critical issues in relation to pond operation and maintenance

• The methodology and criteria used to carry out pond inspection and survey and information capture, based on best practice developed over many years of trials and acquired experience
• Actions taken to resolve identified problems
• Examples of achievements and results
• Strategies and programmes for long term maintenance, upgrading and renewal

This paper also provides recommendations for further improvements in relation to the operation and maintenance of Auckland Council’s stormwater management ponds and wetlands.