The problem with stormwater

Some of the main pollutants that get in our stormwater include:

• litter and dog droppings from pavements and roads
• detergents from washing cars on the roadside
• dirt, leaves and lawn clippings from driveways and garden paths
• left-over paint and water used to wash up paint brushes
• used engine oil, oil leaks and spills, and radiator water
• waste cement and concrete from washing down during building and renovation work
• paint flakes and chemicals from cleaning outside walls

When pollutants like these get into the stormwater system, they can cause a lot of problems

Litter, leaves and clippings:

• breakdown in water, using up valuable oxygen
• turn up in waterways and on beaches, making them unattractive and potentially dangerous
• can injure freshwater and marine animals.

Dog and animal droppings:

• increase the concentration of hazardous bacteria in streams and rivers.

Detergents:

• discolour waterways and cause foaming
• cause weeds and problem algae to grow.

Dirt and sediment:

• clog fishes' gills, making it harder for them to 'breathe'
• reduce water clarity, making it harder for fish to find food
• starve plants in water of necessary light by reducing its penetration
• encourage weed growth.

Waste paint and oil:

• cause ugly oily sheens that also suffocate stream fish and insects
• contain heavy metals that are toxic.

Cement and chemicals:

• kill fish and insects
• fine particles smother stream life.