What can we do?

The most effective way of controlling stormwater pollution is to stop it from entering the stormwater system in the first place.

Trapping and removing stormwater pollution is extremely difficult and expensive. The cheapest and most effective way of dealing with the problem is to stop the pollution at its source.

Everyday activities such as tending the garden or washing the car can contribute to stormwater pollution. But by taking a few simple precautions you can help maintain healthy waterways and preserve the environment for future generations.

Around the home

• Collect any used cooking oil in a jar. When the jar's full, put it in the garbage bin.
  
  
• Keep lids on garbage bins and recycling containers so litter can't blow or fall out of them.
  
  
• Choose environmentally friendly detergents, which are, low in phosphorous.

In your garden

• Use garden fertilisers sparingly to minimise runoff. Avoid using them near gutters and drains and clean up any spills.
  
  
• Sweep or rake up grass clippings and leaves instead of hosing them down the drain. Garden waste can be used for compost or mulch.
  
  
• Keep a good grass cover in your yard to stop topsoil running off into the stormwater system.
  
  
• If you use pesticides to control weeds use them sparingly. Clean up any spills and avoid using them near gutters and drains. Otherwise, hand weed or use mulch to control weeds.

Your car

• Wash your car (or boat or caravan) on grassed areas, not on the driveway or street. Use the minimum amount of detergent. Otherwise use a carwash, where the water is recycled.
  
  
• Repair any oil or fluid leaks from your car. Soak up any spills with newspaper or sand and dispose of in the garbage bin.
  
  
• Take used motor oil to a service station that collects it for recycling.
  
  
• Report oil slicks and spills.

Litter

• "Do the right thing" and put all your litter in the bin. If you're bushwalking, picnicking or at the beach and there's no bin around, take your garbage home.
  
  
• If you're a smoker make sure all your butts go in the bin. If you're out and about, you can use an empty film canister to store butts until you get home.
  
  
• If you're out walking or jogging you could always take a plastic bag and pick up any litter you find, making your neighbourhood more beautiful.

Building and renovating

• Always dispose of unused paint and solvents properly. Brushes for water-based paint should be washed out over grass.
  
  
• Any unused paint can be disposed of at an approved collection point - contact your council for details. Otherwise remove the lid and allow the paint to harden, then put in your garbage bin.
  
  
• Turpentine can be reused once the paint has settled.
  
  
• Keep stockpiles of soil, sand and gravel away from gutters and drains, cover them and use erosion control structures.
  
  
• Wash out cement mixers and wheelbarrows over grass, sand or soil away from gutters and drains.

Walking the dog

• Make sure you dispose of dog droppings properly. Collect them in a plastic bag and bury them in your garden or throw them in the bin.