Stormwater drains are designed to drain water away from buildings and sealed surfaces such as roads into natural waterways. This water is not treated, and any chemicals, sediment, oil, detergents, litter and animal faeces that are on the surface can be washed down into the waterway. Each of these can have impacts on the quality of water.
Paint, leftover chemicals, oil and other poisonous substances should be returned to the place they were purchased from or disposed of safely at a waste transfer station. They should never be emptied down the drain. Vehicles should be washed on the grass rather than the road or the driveway, as grass helps to filter detergents and reduce the amount entering waterways.
Acknowledgement: V. Nikolaienko, 123RF Ltd
