Invercargill's water quality looks set to be improved.
The Invercargill City Council is proposing to introduce a stormwater bylaw in an effort to improve the city’s water quality.
Council engineering services manager Jeremy Rees said the proposed bylaw would give the council enforcement options that would focus on private, industrial and commercial sites known to discharge contaminants into the stormwater network.
The bylaw would require treatment prior to stormwater being discharged into the network as those sites were linked to higher levels of contamination, he said.
"The bylaw will have very little effect on most people," he said.
"Council wants to take an educational stance and help commercial sites and private residences understand what they can do to contribute
to better water quality in Invercargill," Mr Rees said.
During an infrastructural services committee meeting earlier this month, councillors questioned whether the bylaw was necessary in light of the Government’s Three Waters reforms.
Mr Rees said it was still unclear what implications and legal responsibilities the reforms would have for the council as it was understood some parts of the stormwater network would remain within the council’s control.
However, the Government was clearly signalling its aim to improve water quality and it was anticipated the regulations would become more robust.
"The council has indicated that it will continue to provide stewardship of the Three Waters infrastructure until the time of transition.
"This includes taking steps to put in place the appropriate rules and processes, thereby lessening the environmental impact and improving outcomes for all of Invercargill."
Submissions close on March 7.
