Stormwater Drain Sediment Disposal Consenting

PDP was engaged by Hawke’s Bay Regional Council to support a district-wide consenting process for the ongoing removal and disposal of stormwater drain sediments across nine catchments in the Napier and Hastings districts. The work brought together PDP’s contaminated land and stormwater expertise to help manage routine maintenance activities in a way that met regulatory requirements, reduced environmental risk, and provided long-term certainty for Council.

We delivered the project using a staged, practical approach. This began with a detailed review of existing information, including historical sampling data and council records, to identify gaps and guide further investigation. A Detailed Site Investigation, featuring targeted field sampling was then completed across a range of land uses, allowing sediments to be accurately characterised and assessed.

Digital mapping and GIS tools were used to understand catchment connections, optimise sampling locations, and link field observations with aerial imagery. The results informed a Conceptual Site Model and sediment classifications aligned with WasteMINZ Technical Guidelines for Disposal to Land. PDP also prepared an Ongoing Site Management Plan to guide future disposal activities, incorporating measures such as erosion and sediment control, capping requirements, and site protection.

The project demonstrates PDP’s ability to deliver clear, compliant solutions for large-scale sustainable sediment management, supporting efficient consenting and responsible stormwater maintenance across the region.