Abrasive Blasting

Abrasive Blasting (aka "sand blasting" and "water blasting")

Abrasive blasting used to be called "sand blasting" and "water blasting". The name change is not part of any "politically correct" movement. It's because sand and water are not the only blasting agents used these days.

Generally, the purpose of abrasive blasting is to remove old paint, rust and so on from things like bridges, swimming pools, boat hulls and so on. You can cause adverse effects on air quality whether you are "dry blasting" with sand or ground garnet, because very fine amounts of the blasting agent, and the blasted material, are discharged into the air. You can cause adverse effects on water quality and aquatic habitat if the thing you are blasting is near or over water, like a bridge, because bits of paint and other contaminants can fall into the water. Lead-based paint can harm creatures living in rivers or the coastal marine area.

Discharges to air are controlled in the Regional Air Quality Management Plan. Discharges to fresh water are controlled in the Regional Freshwater Plan. Discharges to coastal water are controlled in the Regional Coastal Plan.

Discharges to air

Rule 16 of the Regional Air Quality Management Plan permits wet abrasive blasting, from either mobile or stationary sources, provided conditions specified in the rule are met.

Rule 23 of the Regional Air Quality Management Plan requires a discharge permit for dry abrasive blasting, from either mobile or stationary sources, and for wet abrasive blasting if the activity does not comply with the conditions in Rule 16. This is a discretionary activity.

Rule 65 of the Regional Coastal Plan permits the discharge of dust, particulate matter or other contaminants to air in the coastal marine area if the discharge is associated with the construction, maintenance, repair, alteration, or reconstruction of a structure and provided the conditions specified in the rule are met.

Rule 71 of the Regional Coastal Plan requires a coastal permit for the discharge of dust or other contaminants from an industrial or trade premises in the coastal marine area, unless the discharge is allowed by one of rules 63 to 67 or is specifically provided for in one of rules 68 to 70, or 72. This is a discretionary activity.

Rule 72 of the Regional Coastal Plan requires a coastal permit for the discharge of dust or other particles or contaminants to any Area of Significant Conservation Value in the coastal marine area, unless the discharge is allowed by one of rules 63 to 67 or is specifically provided for in one of rules 68 to 71. This is a non-complying activity.

Discharges to fresh water (rivers, lakes, artificial watercourses etc)

If you are blasting a bridge or any other structure near fresh water, Rule 5 of the Regional Freshwater Plan requires a discharge permit to discharge any contaminant to any freshwater, unless the discharge is allowed by Rule 1 (discharges of water and minor contaminants), or Rule 2 (discharges of stormwater). This is a discretionary activity. If the discharge is to specified wetlands or water bodies being managed in their natural state, this is a non-complying activity in accordance with Rule 6.

Discharges to coastal water (estuaries, harbours, bays and beaches)

If you are blasting a structure or boat over or near coastal water, and the discharge is to an Area of Significant Conservation Value in the coastal marine area, a coastal permit is required under Rule 59 of the Regional Coastal Plan. This is a non-complying activity.

If the discharge is not to an Area of Significant Conservation Value in the coastal marine area, a coastal permit is required under Rule 61 of the Regional Coastal Plan. This is a discretionary activity.