The Georges River area has many beautiful parks along its 38 kilometres of foreshore and local creeks. These places are home to many local plants and animals, and great spots for the community to enjoy.
Seeing rubbish floating in the water, discoloured water, or damaged aquatic life is upsetting — and it can be prevented.
One of the main ways pollution gets into our waterways is through stormwater.
When it rains, rubbish and pollutants get washed into stormwater drains. Pollutants come from roofs, gardens, driveways, and roads, and include things like:
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Litter such as cigarette butts, cans, and plastic bags.
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Sediment from road works or building sites.
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Chemicals like paint, detergents, oil, heavy metals, pesticides, and fertilisers.
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Natural materials like leaves, garden clippings, soil, and animal droppings.
Water pollution can come from specific places like factories and sewer overflows (called point sources) or from widespread areas like streets and parks (called diffuse sources).
The Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 (POEO Act) provides the legal rules for investigating and stopping water pollution in NSW.
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What can I do to Prevent Water Pollution?
Did you know that most drains in your backyard lead straight to the stormwater system—and from there, the water flows directly into our creeks, rivers, and the ocean? These are the places where we swim, fish, and enjoy many outdoor activities.
By understanding how everyday activities add to stormwater pollution, and changing how we do these activities, we can help protect our local rivers, creeks, and bays. Here are some examples:
At home and in the garden
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Put leaves and grass clippings into a compost bin or use them as mulch in your garden. This keeps them from blowing into stormwater drains.
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Cover piles of soil, sand, or mulch so rain or wind doesn’t wash them into the drains.
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Build small barriers around garden beds to keep soil from washing away into the stormwater drain.
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Wash your car on the lawn, and pour any leftover soapy water onto the grass. If you don’t have lawn space, use a commercial car wash. They have special systems to stop dirty water from going into stormwater drains.
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Put all waste in a garbage bin and all recyclables in a recycling bin. Don’t let bins overflow because loose rubbish can wash into stormwater drains. Put food waste in bags before throwing it in the bin.
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Make sure your bins are in good condition. Broken or cracked bins can let waste escape and pollute stormwater drains. Contact Council if you need a replacement bin.
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Wash your bins on the lawn, and keep the dirty water from going into stormwater drains.
On the go
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When walking your dog, always pick up their droppings. Put them in a bag and throw them in a waste bin.
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Don’t litter. When you’re out, make sure all your rubbish is collected and put in a bin. If there isn’t a bin nearby, take your waste home and put it in your bin.
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Carry a small container to collect cigarette butts instead of dropping them on the ground.
Painting and Renovating
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Use water-based paint when you can, and clean brushes and tools in a spot where water won’t run into stormwater drains.
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Keep oil-based paint, turpentine, and solvents away from gutters and drains.
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Let leftover paint dry inside its tin, then take it to chemical drop off centre or a licensed landfill.
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Don’t wash sand, gravel, cement mixers, or wheelbarrows where the dirty water can flow into stormwater drains.
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Cover piles of sand or gravel so rain or wind doesn’t wash or blow them into street gutters.
Construction Sites
Industry
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Store chemicals in covered, contained areas to stop leaks from reaching the stormwater system.
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Keep spill kits ready and make sure staff know how to use them.
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Never wash chemical spills into drains.
Restaurants and Cafés
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Keep premises clean by picking up loose waste generated or wind-blown litter in and around the premises.
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Store all used oil in a sealable container for recycling.
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Dispose of wastewater into the sewer and not the stormwater drain.
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Clean out your grease trap regularly to avoid clogging that can result in an overflow.
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How to Report Water Pollution Incidents
If you see water pollution, you can report it to Council online or through our Contact Us page.
To help our officers investigate quickly and properly, please include:
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The date and time you noticed the pollution.
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A description of the pollution.
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The exact location where you saw it.
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Any witnesses or other people involved.
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Details about what happened.
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Your contact information.
If you believe the pollution is hazardous and could harm people or property, call 000 immediately to reach NSW Police or Fire Services.
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What will happen if I breach the law?
Most drains lead straight to the stormwater system. From there, the water flows directly into our creeks, rivers, and the ocean. These are the places where we swim, fish, and enjoy many outdoor activities.
Putting pollutants into street gutters or stormwater drains is against the law. It can cause serious harm to the environment, wildlife, and people.
If you pollute the water, you may face:
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Fines — large penalties can be given for pollution incidents.
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Clean-up costs — you may have to pay to fix the damage and clean up the pollution.
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Legal action — in serious cases, criminal charges can be made.
The Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 sets out these rules and penalties in NSW.
Following the law is important to protect our rivers, creeks, and oceans for everyone to enjoy.
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