For Blenheim seven land parcels to the west and north of the town were identified as suitable for zoning for Urban-Residential development. A total area of around 240 hectares of urban- residential and a further 53 hectares of employment land is ear-marked for development. As discussed earlier the Wairau Valley drains from west to east and the stormwater drainage from the new developments will impact to some extent on the existing settlement. Work is currently on-goigto odel the available capacity in the natural drainage channels. Site investigations are being undertaken to determine groundwater levels and the soakage capability of the soils. Once these have been established an outline plan for the development zones will be prepared. The final plan will be a balance between on-site disposal and detention of stormwater verses the capability and cost of downstream conveyance. The Urban Growth Strategy also recognised the potential for in-fill housing within the existing urban zones. The specific sections were not detailed but will be evaluated in the process of developing hydraulic models. Important work has been undertaken by the Rivers Department to prepare good design data and gain a solid understanding of the influencing criteria. Blenheim has been categorised into 27 catchments and 224 sub-catchments Rainfall patterns are being analyses to establish the relationship between rainfall intensity, duration and location and the precedent weather and river flows. Flow monitoring at critical locations in the drainage channels during different rainfall events is being undertaken and incorporated into the hydraulic models of the drainage areas. Page 30