What is Wastewater?

Three years ago Central Hawke’s Bay District Council started a very important conversation with the community about how we could realise our aspirations to Thrive, and what role the Council plays in that. Through this process, the importance of water to our community came through as one of the strongest messages. This, combined with a vision for growth and prosperity, environmental responsibilities, and durable infrastructure, was how #thebigwaterstory was born.

#thebigwaterstory is about our drinking water, storm water and wastewater, and represents the durable infrastructure required to transform the day to day lives of Central Hawke’s Bay’s residents. It encapsulates $32 million of capital works to complete in 10 years across the three waters space, plus another $66 million of investment for wastewater. It will see the completion of at least 75 projects across the three waters space – all of which play their part in ensuring our community has durable infrastructure to improve their lives day to day, for generations to come.

Drinking water is that water that comes out of your tap, that is safe to drink or use in food preparation.

Storm water is the water that runs off water resistant surfaces such as roofs, roads, driveways and footpaths, and goes into a drain before heading out to our natural water resources.

Wastewater is the water you use and pass back, usually in a less clean form.  It comes from showers, toilets, laundries and kitchens at home, and commercial buildings and industries. Importantly it is our water.

#thebigwastewaterstory focuses solely on our wastewater.