Huge system overhaul wins business Stormwater Superhero Award
Christchurch business Valmont Coatings has received the top honour at the 2026 Stormwater Superhero Awards for a major five-year project to improve its systems to protect water quality.
Valmont is a hot-dip galvanizing business, a process used to protect steel or iron from corrosion (rusting) by coating it in a layer of zinc.
The awards were run by the Community Waterways Partnership, in partnership with the Christchurch City Council and Canterbury Regional Council (Environment Canterbury). They celebrate businesses going the extra mile to keep stormwater and our waterways clean.
Stormwater upgrade to protect environment
Valmont Coatings received the award due to its significant investment and efforts to upgrade its stormwater infrastructure and its determination to turn environmental challenges into opportunities for improvement.
Valmont's stormwater journey began in 2021 following an industrial stormwater audit conducted by Christchurch City Council. Having taken over the site in 2018, the company was identified as posing a risk to the city's stormwater network.
This led Valmont to set about completing a staged redevelopment of its entire stormwater system. The result has been a comprehensive transformation that demonstrates what can be achieved through long-term planning, investment and a commitment to environmental responsibility.
Steps to transform the stormwater network
Over several years, Valmont delivered a site-wide stormwater upgrade programme that included:
- Installation of 13 engineered sand filtration chambers across the site
- Construction of more than 320 metres of new stormwater reticulation network
- The addition of 60,000 litres of first-flush stormwater retention capacity (the amount of water that can be stored), supported by two pumping chambers
- Upgrades to guttering and downpipe systems to direct roof runoff into the new stormwater network
- Installation of more than 100 metres of kerbing to channel surface water into treatment systems, preventing untreated runoff from discharging into nearby Hayton Stream.
These improvements represent a significant shift from legacy infrastructure to a modern, engineered stormwater treatment network specifically designed to support the site's industrial operations while protecting the surrounding environment.
Valmont Coatings environmental manager Rob Sharp said: “Valmont are incredibly proud to receive the Stormwater Superhero Award. This recognition reflects the commitment, innovation and teamwork that transformed the Christchurch site from a legacy stormwater challenge into an award-winning example of environmental stewardship.
“By working closely with Christchurch City Council, Environment Canterbury, Fox Environmental (formerly e2 Environmental) and our project partners, Valmont have delivered a lasting improvement that protects waterways and demonstrates Valmont’s commitment to conserving resources and improving life.”
More information
- To learn more about the Community Waterways Partnership, visit the Community Waterways Partnership website.
- For info on how to do your bit to prevent stormwater pollution, visit the Protect our waterways section on our website.