Stormwater Tips

Hurstville City Council is responsible for managing and protecting the health of our waterways. However, it is everyone’s responsibility to reduce the amount of rubbish and pollution that is carried into our creeks and rivers by the stormwater system.

Council is committed to increasing awareness about the simple things the residential, commercial and industrial communities of  Hurstville City can do to avoid and reduce stormwater pollution. Some people do not realise they are contributing to the pollution of our waterways when they tip harmful materials down the drain or carelessly drop litter on the road. The reality is that we all live in a catchment and have an impact on stormwater quality. We can all take steps to make a difference.

Activities which seem harmless or insignificant on a small scale can have an enormous cumulative impact on our waterways. Thousands of people dropping a cigarette butt from their cars, sweeping dirt off their driveways or washing detergent off their cars down the street drains has a big impact. It all ends up in the water.

Whether you live close to the Georges River or Salt Pan Creek, or only visit them occasionally, reduced stormwater pollution will lead to many ongoing benefits for the environment and for all of us:

• rivers and beaches will be cleaner and safer for swimming
• waterways will look cleaner - there will be fewer plastic bags and other pollution visible in the water
• ratepayers will spend less money on emptying stormwater traps
• the environment will be healthier for plants and animals.

Simple steps to reduce stormwater pollution

Don't hose  leaves and garden clippings into the gutter
Even natural things like leaves, garden clippings and soil can harm our waterways. When leaves and clippings decay in water they use up oxygen. Taking oxygen away from the water can kill plants, fish and other animals that live in our waterways. Soil is a problem too, especially disturbed soil from construction activities. It makes water cloudy and can silt them up. Silt can suffocate fish by clogging their gills. Instead, why not:

•  sweep your gutters and driveways rather than hosing them down
• put leaves in the compost or on the garden as mulch
• rake up grass clippings them mulch or compost them
• cover piles of soil, sand or mulch to stop them washing into drains
• plant grass where soil is exposed.

Pick up your dog’s droppings

When dog droppings are left on the footpath they can wash into our waterways, where they can increase the level of bacteria and nutrient levels. This makes our waterways, like Jew Fish Baths unsafe for swimming. Instead, why not:

• train your dog to go to the toilet in your garden
• when you are walking your dog, pick up its droppings with a plastic bag and put them in the bin.

Bin your butts and litter

A single cigarette butt might not seem like much but in their thousands they can cause serious pollution. Rain and wind collect many of the cigarette butts and litter on the street and wash them into the stormwater drains. They end up in our local creeks and rivers. Litter affects the natural beauty of our waterways and also harms fish and other animals because they can mistake litter for food and become entangled in plastic waste. Instead, why not:

• dispose of rubbish, including cigarette butts, in garbage bins
• carry a personal ashtray for your cigarette butts
• make sure garbage bins and car trailers are fully covered to prevent wind and rain from spilling rubbish into the street and into stormwater drains
• sweep footpaths and collect litter
• Buy products with less packaging to reduce waste and recycle where you can.

Wash your car on the grass

If you wash your car in the street or on your driveway, detergents, mud, oil and grease can wash directly into the stormwater system. Many detergents contain phosphates which over-fertilise waterways and can lead to a build up of toxic algae which is harmful to fish and humans too. Instead, why not:

• try to wash your car on a grassy area
• if you do not have a grassy area, visit a friend or relative who does – or go to a local carwash
• use as little detergent as you can and pour any leftover soapy water onto the lawn
• when cleaning under the car, check for any fluid leaks and get them repaired.

Clean up paint the right way

Cleaning paint brushes and rollers into gutters or drains puts chemicals in the water which can poison frogs, fish and other aquatic life. Instead, why not:

• when using water-based paint, clean the brushes in a container on the grass. Dirty paint water can be poured onto the lawn and any paint residue placed in the bin
• when using oil-based paint, turps and solvents, keep them clear of gutters and drains and allow unused paint to dry out before putting it in the bin.