Rain Garden

Owners Manual

Property Address
Street name and number:

Suburb:

Note: This manual should be handed over to the new owner whenever the property is sold.

www.northshorecity.govt.nz

Rain Garden Data

(To be completed by the rain garden installer or property owner as appropriate) Note: This information is required by the Council for entry into the On-site Stormwater Management Devices database.

Table Of Contents

Property address: Street name & number Suburb Date of completion Resource consent number Building consent number Rain Garden Details Impermeable area roofs (m2) Impermeable area paving (m2) Permeable area (m2) Surface area of rain garden (m2) Nominal depth of rain garden (mm) Kerb outlet yes / no

1. Introduction 2. Purpose of Rain Garden 3. Rain Garden Operation 4. Operation and Maintenance Requirements 5. Contacts

1 1 2 3 4

Annexures

1. Rain Garden Drawings 2. Rain Garden Location Plan 3. Proprietary Products Operating and Service Instructions

1. Introduction
The purpose of this document is to provide the property owner with instructions and advice on how to operate and maintain the rain garden installed on their property. One copy of this document should be kept in a handy location in the house and a second copy should be provided to the Council for record purposes. The rain garden forms an intrinsic part of the stormwater drainage system for the property and has been installed as part of an approved resource and / or building consent. In terms of North Shore City Councils stormwater bylaw, the property owner is responsible for the continuing operation and maintenance of the private stormwater system serving their property.
The rain garden may not be removed or altered in any way without obtaining a resource consent and building consent from the Council.

normal rainfall events that happen throughout the year and which would not cause significantly increased runoff

in the absence of development and its associated impervious surfaces.

3. Rain Garden Operation

Rain gardens are basin-like, densely planted gardens which serve a stormwater management function by filtering stormwater slowly through a vegetated soil layer into a drain located beneath the soil, within a layer of free draining stone. This is known as the underdrain. Rain gardens are designed to capture all the stormwater runoff from small storms and the initial stormwater flow from larger storms. Further details of the rain graden system are provided in the annexures. Stormwater runoff from intense rainfall events initially ponds in the rain garden to a maximum depth of between 150mm and 200mm and then drains slowly through the underlying soil over a period of a few hours to a maximum of one day. Sediments and their attached contaminants are retained by filtering. Dissolved contaminants such as zinc and copper are retained by adsorption to the solid material in the soil. Some water volume reduction is achieved through evapotranspiration from the plants in the rain garden and infiltration into the surrounding soil. Water reaching the base of the rain garden is intercepted by the subsoil drain which is connected to the approved stormwater outfall for the property; usually the Councils piped stormwater network. A large diameter overflow pipe or cesspit located about 200mm above the top of the rain garden allows excess rainwater to safely drain away when the rate or quantity of rainfall exceeds the amount which can filter through the rain garden. This overflow is also connected to the approved stormwater outfall for the property.

2. Purpose of Rain Garden

Hard surfaces created as part of urban development generate increased stormwater runoff and pollutant loads which are ultimately discharged via the piped stormwater network into streams and the sea. The increased flow of stormwater can overload the downstream network causing flooding. Increased stream flows accelerate the erosion of stream banks resulting in damage to adjacent properties and the release of sediment which is later deposited downstream or in the sea causing harm to the stream and marine environment. Rain gardens capture stormwater runoff from the roof and/or paved areas of the house. The water is filtered as it percolates through the soil and plants and it is then released slowly to the stormwater outfall via an under drain. Overall stormwater volumes are
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reduced by way of evapotranspiration and infiltration. The combination of filtering, reduction in the total volume of stormwater runoff from the property and the attenuation (reduction) of the peak flows contributes significantly towards the protection of streams from erosion, reducing the amount of contaminants and sediment washed into the rivers and sea and alleviation of flooding in downstream catchments. It is accepted that rain gardens will overflow in sustained, heavy rainfall events. However, periodic flooding is a natural process and would occur even in the absence of development. Streams are able to tolerate these infrequent, high flows as they have a chance to recover and stabilise between events. The greatest benefits of rain gardens are experienced during the high frequency,

4. Operation and Maintenance Requirements

Property owners should periodically inspect their propertys plumbing and drainage system for leaks and faults. Similarly the rain garden requires periodic inspection and maintenance. Most actions are relatively simple to perform and may easily be carried out by the property owner. The following table sets out the recommended inspection and maintenance actions for a typical rain garden. Your system may not be provided with all of the components listed and may have additional features not covered below.

5. Contacts
Installer Name: Company: Address: Email: Plumber Name: Company: Address: Email: Nursery Monthly Name: Company: Address: 3 to 6 monthly 3 to 6 monthly 3 to 6 monthly Email: Tel: Fax: Mobile: A/H Tel: Tel: Fax: Mobile: A/H Tel: Tel: Fax: Mobile: A/H Tel:

Component Soil moisture content

Recommended Actions During dry periods the underdrain may cause the soil to dry out. Plants should be watered as and when necessary like any normal garden. This is particularly important with new rain gardens where the planting is still establishing. Inspect for clogging and remove any debris and rubbish. There should be no water ponding in the rain garden within 12 to 24 hours after a storm. Inspect and remove weeds. Inspect, prune, thin and replace as required. Inspect rain garden for fine sediment build up. If a crust has formed, remove it and re-work the top layer of soil. Inspect rain garden for erosion caused by strong inflows. Repair as necessary. Mulch suppresses weeds and retains moisture. Inspect and replace as necessary. Excess mulch may need to be removed every few years.

Frequency Regularly during dry periods

Overflow & outlet pipes Weeds Plants Sediment

Erosion Mulch

3 to 6 monthly Annually

Note: The maintenance frequency suggested above is the recommended minimum. After storms additional inspections may be warranted.

Notes:

Notes:

ANNEXURE 1
Rain Garden Drawings
Note: This drawing is for a typical rain garden installation. Some rain gardens may differ from that shown. The rain garden installer or property owner, as appropriate, should attach a drawing specific to the approved rain garden installation for the property.

Planting and mulch Runoff from driveway and paving areas Grass Provision for excess overflow

Planting Soil

Overflow outlet connected to outlet pipe

Sand Bed
(optional)

Gravel

Outlet pipe to stormwater outfall Perforated pipe (underdrain)

ANNEXURE 2
Rain Garden Location Plan
Note: The rain garden installer or property owner, as appropriate, should attach a drawing indicating the location of the rain garden and associated systems on the property. The level of detail provided should be sufficient for future property owners and inspectors to locate the various components of the rain garden with a minimum of inconvenience. Example:
Brown Road

Driveway

Rain Garden

Courtyard

House

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ANNEXURE 3
Proprietary Products Operating and Service Instructions
Note: The rain garden installer or property owner, as appropriate, should attach any relevant product brochures, manuals or service instructions relevant to the specific rain garden installation on the property. This may, for example, include advice on suitable plant species for the rain garden and appropriate maintenance actions.

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10

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Need help?
For more information please contact the ActionLine (09) 486 8600 or www.northshorecity.govt.nz

Rain Garden
IS WT-0000-11/07