Abstract for: Simulating Pollution from Urban Stormwater in Project Twin Streams Catchment, Auckland, New Zealand

A system dynamics simulation is presented that models the accumulation of the urban non-point source pollutant zinc from stormwater run-off into an estuary in West Auckland, New Zealand. The boundary and resolution of the model is restricted by available data to a simple structure containing combined inflows and one stock, with no outflow. This is a realistic approximation of system behaviour and mirrors results from other studies in principle. We question the usefulness of such a simulation in its lack to address any socio-ecological processes and concerns. Qualitative modelling is deemed more useful for systemic understanding mandated as part of the transition towards sustainable urban environments.