Adopt a Drain – Summer 2025
Welcome to our ‘Adopt a Drain’ summer newsletter
2024 was a big year for our Adopt a Drain programme. We now have over 30 neighbourhoods involved in this initiative. We’d like to give a big thank-you to everyone that has participated in our neighbourhood sessions and taken action to stop stormwater pollution.
Pollution on the rise after holiday season
Your adopted drain is probably looking clean and tidy but sadly that’s not the case all around town. We’ve noticed local storm drains clogged up with rubbish, leaves and other debris after a busy Christmas period.
TAKE THE SUMMER PLEDGE: Find a neglected storm drain around town and give it some love. This pledge is simple – find a drain and clean it up. Make sure to safely dispose of any rubbish found and always clean the drain from the sidewalk, not the road.
We’d love to see a before and after photo and any details regarding the rubbish you’ve found. Click here to add your photos and any comments.
Upcoming events in your neighbourhood
You’ve already taken an awesome step by adopting your drain – ka rawe! But why stop there?
Think of where you live as your patch to help look after. Every street, stream, and shoreline of the lake connects to something bigger. By joining events near your neighbourhood, you are doing your part in protecting our environment, including local lakes and rivers.
Find the event closest to you from the list below and mark your calendar. Bring your whānau, friends, or neighbours along to make it a team effort!
1. World Wetlands Day at Bullock Creek Wetlands (off Stone Street) 2 Feb, all day
2. Beach clean-up at Waterfall Creek (Ruby Island Road) 22 Feb, 10am
3. Stream health workshop at Stoney Creek (near watersports facility) 3 March, 4:30pm
4. Beach clean-up at Bremner Bay Beach 18 March, 3:30pm
5. Beach clean-up along Wānaka lakefront 22 April, 10am
6. Stream health workshop at Bullock Creek (near Speights Ale House) 24 April, 4pm
7. Beach clean-up along Lake Hāwea (location TBD) 25 May, 10am
8. Beach clean-up at Cardrona River (just past Wastebusters) 18 June, 12pm
Keep an eye on our volunteer events page for more details.
Help us grow Adopt a Drain
As a non-profit organisation, we rely on grants, donations and volunteer time to sustain our programmes. By leaving a testimonial about your experience with WAI Wānaka and Adopt a Drain, you’re helping us to apply for more funding and grow this programme. Every testimonial counts!
We ask that you take 2-5 minutes out of your day to leave a testimonial about your Adopt a Drain experience.
Pressure washing or water blasting this summer?
Pressure washing or water blasting your home can cause pollution in a number of ways – some of which are against the law and can incur a fine.
Check out Auckland Council’s ‘Pressure Washing and Water Blasting’ info sheet. It’s easy to read and full of good practise tips.
Bremner Bay, photo by Chris Arbuckle; Touchstone Project.
One neighbourhood at a time
Do you know a household in Wānaka, Hāwea or Luggate that might be interested in Adopt a Drain?
Forward this email and help us to grow this initiative. We encourage anyone interested to fill out our Adopt a Drain sign-up form.
