Kaipatiki Project Environment Centre |
| Witheford
Reserve Riparian Planting The Kaipatiki Project is focused towards restoring the Kaipatiki Stream and the Witheford Reserve environments. The Kaipatiki Stream can be affected by stormwater (the water that runs off our roof-tops, roads, pavements and carparks..) and as a commitment to improving the quality stream water we have a contract with Infrastructure Auckland to plant the riparian zones (the area around the stream) with plants that will help absorb all the nasty chemicals and heavy metals found in stormwater. Why is stormwater a problem? - When new houses, roads and shops are built they create large areas of impervious surfaces (eg concrete). If we didn’t build these structures the soil would naturally absorb and filter the water that falls from the sky as rain. HOWEVER concrete cannot do this. So where does this water go? It flows down our driveways, pavements roads and carparks and into the nearest stormwater drain, collecting all the litter, rubbish, dirt, cigarette butts and chemicals with and flows directly into our rivers, streams and beaches. The more impervious surfaces we have the more rain water we have channeled into our streams, and this means flooding can become a problem. Flooding will cause the banks to erode. Horrible facts: 25 million cigarette butts get washed into the ocean each year in New Zealand 9 million litres of lubrication oil is unaccounted for which means we are most likely swimming in it! Here are a few things you can do to help improve the quality of stormwater - if everyone helps we can do lots of great things! 1. Don't tip oils or chemicals such as buckets of detergent that you have used to clean your floors/windows, etc…down the stormwater drains! Instead take used oil to your local petrol station for recycling or contact your local council to find a drop off point. Detergent/dirty water and other household chemicals that have been used can be tipped down the toilet or sink to be sent through to wastewater treatment plant 2. Always wash paint brushes inside at a sink and DON’T wash them outside in the stormwater drains. 3. Don’t drop litter (and this includes cigarette butts!) Litter that is dropped in the streets eventually ends up being washed down the stormwater drains by the rain and will always end up in the local streams or beaches 4. Sweep paths and gutters instead of hosing (your rubbish sweepings can go in the garden or compost where they will break down naturally). Hosing will allow increased sediments and plant material with will deplete the oxygen supply in the water and will make the stream very dirty and not very clear and clean 5. Wash car on lawn or at a carwash. Washing your car in the driveway or garage means that all the detergent and car wax you used flows straight into a stormwater drain and into the local stream or beach. Detergent is particularly harmful to the fish and bugs that live in these streams. 6. Lessening the impervious surfaces on your property - try scoria or bark driveways and pathways instead of boring old concrete! 7. Keep all your paved areas clean (so the rainfall isn’t polluted!) and do this by sweeping instead of hosing 8. Join a local community group! Community groups such as the Kaipatiki Project, Three Streams and Friends of the Whau are all working with the local community to help improve the situation. |