Stormwater

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Stormwater is rainwater that falls on the roof of your house, or collects on paved areas like driveways, roads and footpaths and is carried away through our drains, pipes and channels to our local creeks, wetlands, estuaries and finally, to the ocean.


Urban water cycle

Newcastle has a network of pipes, channels and waterways that move water from place to place:

  • Water mains carry drinking water to our homes and businesses
  • Sewer mains carry dirty water to sewage treatment plants
  • Stormwater drains carry rainwater, running off our urban areas, into creeks, estuaries, wetlands, the Hunter River and our beaches

This journey of water is called the urban water cycle . Our Urban Water Cycle Policy provides the overarching vision and direction to the management of any aspect of the urban water cycle that we’re responsible for, including stormwater.

We manage:

We’re also responsible for managing the quality, quantity and frequency of stormwater discharge from roads, buildings, open spaces and any other areas or types of development.

Concrete stormwater channels across the city and the sewerage system are owned and managed by Hunter Water.

Read our Stormwater Management Plan to find out more about the responsibilities of City of Newcastle, Hunter Water, and the community.

Stormwater - What Can I Do?

Stormwater - What's Underground?
Stormwater - Where Does The Water From The Drain In My Street Go?
Stormwater - The Future

Stormwater and development
Stormwater pollution
Stormwater pollution - sewage
Water Sensitive Urban Design
Private property owner's responsibilities
Problem solving between neighbours
Throsby Creek Litter Management Project