Preventing Stormwater Pollution: Strategies For A Cleaner Environment

Stormwater pollution is a serious issue that can degrade our lakes, rivers, wetlands and other waterways. It occurs when stormwater, which is designed to be carried by a storm sewer system, becomes contaminated with pollutants such as phosphorus and nitrogen, toxic substances from motor vehicles, pesticides, fertilizers, bacteria from animal waste and eroded soil. This can result in oxygen depletion in waterways, killing fish and other aquatic life, and making lakes and waterways unsafe for human activities such as swimming. To prevent stormwater pollution, it is important to properly maintain stormwater ponds and systems, including keeping septic systems well-maintained to prevent leaks, and not draining pools, spas or fountains to a storm drain.

Don't dump anything down storm drains

Stormwater pollution is a serious issue that can degrade our lakes, rivers, wetlands and other waterways. To prevent this, it is important to never dump anything down storm drains. Stormwater sewers are designed to carry stormwater and nothing else. If you notice any flow when it hasn't rained in 72 hours, contact your municipal stormwater representative.

Stormwater pollution can be caused by a variety of factors, including toxic substances from motor vehicles, pesticides, fertilisers, bacteria from animal waste, and eroded soil. These pollutants can kill fish and other aquatic life, as well as make lakes and waterways unsafe for wading and swimming.

One way to prevent stormwater pollution is to properly maintain your neighbourhood stormwater pond. Rain barrels can also help prevent stormwater from reaching waterways and reduce the potential for pollution. By using harvested rainwater for outdoor tasks such as watering plants and washing patio furniture, you can conserve water and reduce the use of chemical fertilisers.

It is also important to keep your septic system well-maintained to prevent leaks. A leaking septic system can leach harmful bacteria into storm sewer systems and local waterways. Similarly, you should never drain your pool, spa, or fountain to a storm drain. Allow chlorine to dissipate for several days and test the water to ensure residual chlorine is zero before slowly draining to a landscaped area.

Keep your septic system well-maintained

Keeping your septic system well-maintained is an important way to prevent stormwater pollution. A leaking septic system can leach harmful bacteria into storm sewer systems and local waterways, making lakes and waterways unsafe for wading, swimming and fish consumption.

To keep your septic system well-maintained, you should ensure that you are not draining your pool, spa or fountain to a storm drain. Instead, allow chlorine to dissipate for several days and test the water to ensure the residual chlorine is zero before slowly draining to a landscaped area. You may also be able to drain to a sanitary sewer, but you should contact your local municipality for more information.

You should also be careful not to dump anything down storm drains. This includes leaves and debris, which should be cleared away. This allows the ground to neutralise the soap and grime from your car rather than sending it directly to creeks and streams.

Another way to prevent stormwater pollution is to use a rain barrel. Rain barrels collect rainwater, which can then be used for watering lawns, gardens, and potted plants, as well as for washing patio furniture and tools. This helps to prevent stormwater from reaching waterways and reduces the potential for pollution. Rainwater is also better for gardening than tap water, as it does not contain chlorine or fluoride.

Finally, it is important to properly maintain your neighbourhood stormwater pond. This will help to prevent stormwater pollution and reduce the potential for costly repairs.

Don't drain pools, spas or fountains to a storm drain

Stormwater pollution is a serious issue that can degrade our lakes, rivers, wetlands and other waterways. Nutrients such as phosphorus and nitrogen can cause the overgrowth of algae, resulting in oxygen depletion in waterways. Toxic substances from motor vehicles and pesticides and fertilisers can also kill fish and other aquatic life.

One way to prevent stormwater pollution is to not drain pools, spas or fountains to a storm drain. Allow chlorine to dissipate for several days. Test the water to ensure the residual chlorine is zero before slowly draining to a landscaped area. You may be able to drain to a sanitary sewer. Contact your local municipality for more information.

There are several other ways to prevent stormwater pollution. Do not dump anything down storm drains. Clear away leaves and debris. Use a rain barrel to harvest rainwater for watering lawns, gardens, potted plants and for washing off patio furniture and tools. This will conserve water and reduce the potential for pollution.

Rain barrels can help prevent stormwater from reaching waterways

From a gardening perspective, the natural nutrients in rainwater make it far better than tap water, which has chlorine and fluoride in it. With a rain barrel, gardeners can minimize or eliminate their use of chemical fertilizers. This is beneficial because nutrients such as phosphorus and nitrogen can cause the overgrowth of algae, resulting in oxygen depletion in waterways.

Rain barrels also help to reduce air pollution, which can contaminate rain and end up in our streams and lakes. By using rainwater, we can reduce the amount of polluted stormwater that degrades our lakes, rivers, wetlands and other waterways.

In addition, rain barrels can help to prevent bacteria from animal wastes and improper connections to storm sewer systems from making lakes and waterways unsafe for wading, swimming and fish consumption. By using rainwater for tasks such as washing patio furniture and tools, we can reduce the amount of bacteria that ends up in our waterways.

Keep your neighbourhood stormwater pond well-maintained

Keeping your neighbourhood stormwater pond well-maintained is an important way to prevent stormwater pollution. Stormwater pollution degrades our lakes, rivers, wetlands and other waterways, and can threaten water quality and kill fish and other aquatic life.

One way to keep your neighbourhood stormwater pond well-maintained is to ensure that you do not drain your pool, spa, or fountain into a storm drain. Instead, allow chlorine to dissipate for several days, test the water to ensure the residual chlorine is zero, and then slowly drain it to a landscaped area. You may also be able to drain it to a sanitary sewer, but you should contact your local municipality for more information.

Another way to keep your neighbourhood stormwater pond well-maintained is to keep your septic system in good condition to prevent leaks. A leaking septic system can leach harmful bacteria into storm sewer systems and local waterways.

You should also avoid dumping anything down storm drains, and be sure to clear away leaves and debris. This allows the ground to neutralise soap and grime from your car, rather than sending it directly to creeks and streams.

Finally, you can keep your neighbourhood stormwater pond well-maintained by using rain barrels to harvest rainwater. This helps prevent stormwater from reaching waterways and reduces the potential for pollution. Rain barrels conserve water and provide natural nutrients that are better for gardening than tap water, which has chlorine and fluoride in it.

Frequently asked questions