While stormwater drains should be for draining stormwater - a group of Northland students have discovered plastic, cigarette butts, paper and more rubbish is also making its way down the drain.
Hurupaki Primary School's year 3 and 4 students dedicated term 3 to finding out the answer to the question: What really goes down our drains?
The students, with the help of the Drains to Harbour programme, have been learning about freshwater habits and the threats of stormwater pollution.
Part of the programme involved installing an enviropod in a drain next to the school gate. The enviropod collects all the debris that falls down the drain while allowing water to flow through the mesh.
After sitting in the drain for six weeks the children were disappointed to find lots of rubbish had made its way down the drain, along with sticks and leaves.