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Litter
Litter is the most obvious of all pollutants. It can block drains and pipes and can affect aquatic animals who can get caught in it or mistake it for food and thereby cause illness or even death to the animal.
- Put your litter (or other litter you see) in a bin.
- Use covers on bins that are outside.
- Buy products with less or no packaging.
Organic Matter
Leaves, lawn clippings and dog faeces can greatly affect the natural balance in the waterways. Decaying organic matter deprives plants and animals of crucial oxygen.
- Pick up your dog's faeces when you take it for a walk.
- Sweep up (and compost) your lawn clippings, prunings etc.
- Plant native trees and shrubs.
Water Runoff
Water that runs off gardens, lawn, concrete or dirt will pick up many contaminants that can harm aquatic plants and animals.
Be 'Water Wise'.
- Use water sensibly on the garden and water all plants at the base.
- Plant native plants and shrubs as they require less water to grow.
Pesticides
Pesticides are just as poisonous to our waterways as they are to our pests. Over-watering of the garden particularly after applying pesticide will cause some of this poison to filter into our creeks.
- Use pesticides sparingly.
- Avoid using them near drains and waterways.
- Do not use before rain or watering.
Fertiliser
When fertilisers are carried by runoff into our waterways, the nutrients in those fertilisers encourage algal growth. This increase in algae can deprive other aquatic plants and animals of oxygen.
- Use compost on your garden rather than applying chemical fertiliser.
- Avoid using fertiliser near drains and waterways.
- Do not use before rain or watering.
Waste Water
When water becomes contaminated during use it is called wastewater. Eg, when you wash your car the water that runs off is contaminated with detergent and dirt and then becomes wastewater. Other activities like cutting bricks, mixing concrete etc all produce wastewater that must not be allowed to enter our waterways.
- Wash your car on the lawn or at an approved car wash facility.
- Contain your wastewater and reuse it on your garden.
- Learn the 'right' way to dispose of wastewater by speaking to a Council Environmental Health Officer.
Detergents
Detergents have a similar effect to fertilisers as they contain phosphates that are a nutrient. When detergents enter our waterways they increase the nutrient levels which cause algal blooms.
- Use detergents sparingly outdoors.
- Wash your car on the lawn or at an approved car wash facility.
- Use washing powder that does not contain phosphates - look for the 'NP' label on the packaging which identifies it as having No Phosphates. ('P' on the packaging means it does contain phosphates)
Oil and Grease
These products can cause many problems ranging from poisoning and smothering of aquatic life, to bad smelling and ugly waterways not suitable for any recreational activity. Oil and grease can be leached from stains on the roads and car parks when it rains and then travels via stormwater into our waterways.
Clean up oil and grease stains.
- Never allow oil to be washed down an outside drain.
- Keep cars in good condition so they don't leak oil.
- Paint Using drop sheets when painting outside will prevent paint from being washed into the stormwater system. Paints can be extremely dangerous for aquatic life.
- Use a drop sheet when painting so that spills can be picked up.
- Never allow paint to be washed down an outside drain.
- Never spray paint outside.
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