This project is part of AKV’s mission to improve the health of the Kaikorai Valley waterways, with the long-term goal of seeing clean water flow from the valley to the sea.
The adopt a drain programme is a little like adopting a patch of the Kaikorai Stream. By adopting the drain, design arc promises to keep it free of rubbish and debris, to ensure no pollutants go down the drain, and to report any issues they notice. They plan to look after their premises with the health of the stream in mind.
This is really important because the water going into the drain is immediately going to be the Kaikorai stream. design arc is the first business to adopt a drain in the valley, but we'll soon see multiple drains across Kaikorai Valley adopted, and the health of the stream transformed.
To commemorate this collaboration, we are having a breakfast launch ceremony, where we will unveil an information sign, and view the fish plaque we fixed by the drain. The plaque will signify that the water going into the drain is going to become the water that ika/fish will live in.
Kai Mocha Café will be providing coffees, kindly sponsored by OCC (Otago Catchment Community). Bring along your keep cup if you’d like to enjoy a complimentary coffee.
Community members, officials, businesses, students and friends of Aroha Kaikorai Valley are warmly invited to attend.
Details:
This event is supported by ORC but led and run by the Aroha Kaikorai Valley community.
When:
8.30–9.00 am
15 October 2026
Where:
335 Kaikorai Valley Rd, Bradford, Dunedin
RSVP here: https://akv.nz/events/adopt-a-drain-launch-celebration
Adopt a Drain
Otago’s Adopt a Drain programme encourages schools and communities to care for urban stormwater drains—placing a reminder fish by drains, teaching about pollutants, and protecting local waterways by promoting the message: only rain down the drain.
Only Drain Rain
Most stormwater isn’t treated before it drains into our local waterways. It’s important to only drain rain and prevent anything nasty getting into our waterways. We need to protect our streams, rivers, lakes and coastal waters.
