Conference focuses on sustainable stormwater solutions

29 April 2019

Water quality and the environmental impact on our waterways are key topics under the spotlight at this year’s Water New Zealand three day Stormwater Conference beginning in Auckland tomorrow (May 1).

The conference theme of Stormwater - The Next Generation aims to provide a platform to introduce, explore, address and challenge the impacts of stormwater on the environment.

Water New Zealand CEO John Pfahlert says the sustainable management of stormwater is one of the big challenges facing councils and territorial authorities.

“Urban growth, along with farming and increasing tourism, are having a big impact on the health of our waterways – in both cities and rural areas.

“This year’s conference looks at some of the innovative ways developed, both here and overseas, to face up to these challenges.”

One of the keynote speakers at the conference is Rich Batiuk who recently retired after 30 years with the world-renowned US Chesapeake Bay Program where he led a team collaborating across communities to reduce pollution and improve the health of the estuary.

Other international and keynote speakers include Dwane Jones from the Center for Sustainable Development and Resilience at the University of the District of Columbia and Chris Digman who’s a Visiting Professor at the University of Sheffield.

The conference begins tomorrow morning and runs through to Friday. Go herefor more details and to see the full programme.

© Scoop Media