An Urban Runoff Database for New Zealand

NIWA is leading the development of an open-access searchable database of New Zealand urban runoff quality data. Data are being collected from organisations such as regional councils, territorial authorities, roading agencies and research institutes throughout New Zealand, many of which hold large datasets of stormwater quality data collected over the last 10 years. The aim is to provide a repository for all urban runoff data and for the dissemination of this data in a form that is fit-for-purpose for a range of uses and users. The database has been designed as an open-access web-based tool that enables analyses of variations in runoff quality by characteristics such as land-use, geographic area and type of stormwater treatment. Data are compiled into the database after quality control checking according to a prescribed protocol. The database is currently being populated and a first version of the web portal is due to go live in 2013.