Whakatāne District Council manages five stormwater networks:
Whakatāne Stormwater System
The Whakatāne urban area, excluding Piripai, has a stop-bank built in 1968 to protect the town from the Whakatāne River. Bay of Plenty Regional Council manages and maintains the stop-bank protection system.
Whakatāne urban stormwater facts:
- 48,176 metres of pipes
- 903 manholes
- 12,861 metres of open channel
- 14 pump stations
- 14 storage/retention ponds
- 119 cesspits
Ōhope Stormwater System
Ōhope stormwater catchment is a narrow coastal strip. In the west, the township lies between steep hills to the south and the sea to the north, while in the eastern part, Ohiwa harbour forms the southern boundary. The others either pump stormwater into the Whakatāne River or into drains.
The hill catchments to the south of Whakatāne (Wainui Te Whara and smaller steep hill catchments along Valley Road) have a large effect on the stormwater system and the management of this.
Ōhope stormwater system facts:
- 9,427 metres of pipes
- 254 manholes
- 1,555 metres of open channel
- 2 storage/retention ponds
- 24 cesspits
- 5 soak pits
Edgecumbe Stormwater System
There are four main catchments in Edgecumbe, delineated by the Rangitāiki River running south to north through the township and the railway embankment running east-west. Edgecumbe southwest and northwest are on the west of the Rangitāiki River. Edgecumbe southeast (Konini Place and Hydro Rd area) is on the east bank. Edgecumbe northeast is occupied by the Fonterra Dairy factory and the EastPack kiwifruit packhouse and cool store.
Edgecumbe relies upon the Rangitāiki Plains drainage scheme managed and operated by Bay of Plenty Regional Council to provide land drainage. The town is protected from flooding from the Rangitāiki River by stop-banks maintained as part of the River scheme by Bay of Plenty Regional Council.
The Edgecumbe stormwater system facts:
- 6,352 metres of pipes
- 115 manholes
- 4,552 metres of open channel
- 17 cesspits
Matatā Stormwater System
Matatā catchment is a coastal terrace with steep hill country behind and a lagoon in front. Three streams from the hills flow through the town. The Matatā hills can be subject to localised high-intensity rainfall as saturated air comes in from the sea.
The Matatā stormwater system facts:
- 887 metres of pipes
- 2,506 metres of open channel
Tāneatua Stormwater System
Tāneatua stormwater system serves the Tāneatua township and a small section of the rural area.
The Tāneatua stormwater system facts:
- 1,885 metres of pipes
- 50 manholes
- 897 metres of open channel