You can have or maintain a sediment trap as long as you can meet permitted standards. These apply whether the river or creek flows all the time or some of the time.
Apply for consent to install a sediment trap using Form 10a:
July 2021
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Use this form for applications to erect, place, extend, alter, replace, reconstruct or demolish any structure in, on or over the bed of a waterbody e.g. bridges, culverts, boardwalks, pipes, cables, steps, buildings, fords, retaining walls, gabion baskets, jetties, planting etc.
Sediment is soil particles that are moved in water. It can be rich in both nutrients and contaminants.
A sediment trap is a dug out hollow or a built bund in a waterway that collects sediment-laden water and slows the water long enough for the sediment to settle out of the water.
By slowing down the water’s movement, a sediment trap allows the sediment to drop out of the water. There are a number of benefits to sediment traps, including:
Constructing (and maintaining) a sediment trap is a permitted activity under our Regional Plan: Water rule 13.5.1.10. However, if you are planning on constructing (or maintaining) a sediment trap, there are still some things you need to be aware of, including:
If you will be impounding water by the creation of a dam crest or considering taking or using water from the sediment trap, then further permits may be required – please contact our Consent Public Enquiries team consent.enquiries@orc.govt.nz for further information.