Polluted local creek?

Report to the EPA 24hr service…..1300 372 842 (1300 EPA VIC)

Deliberate or Accidental ?

Dandenong creek, Mullum creek and Taralla wetland and creek all run through MaroondahAs water flows over and through the land it picks up litter and chemical waste. This process is known as run-off, this generally is worse after heavy rain, and may result in accidental contamination.

Scoop the Poop!!!

Dog poo is THE most common reason for high e-coli readings in Port Phillip bay after heavy rain. Animal faeces and urine are also picked up by run-off and washed into the river. Animal sewage is just as bad for the river systems as human sewage. In times of heavy rains, the combined contribution of urban and agricultural run-off is greatly increased. The problem with run-off is that the people who are responsible for it don’t witness it’s effects. Many people don’t realize that what they use in their gardens, their pets’ droppings, and all the other litter and pollution they allow to flow into storm-water drains, become part of run-off. Some don’t care. Either way the river suffers, then it ends up in Phillip Bay where we swim in it!

Anyone who deliberately uses our drains or creeks to dispose of any unwanted waste is considered an environmental vandal !

Run-off occurs in two forms – one above the ground, and the other beneath the ground.

The first type of run-off is created when rain water runs off surfaces. Urban run-off is used to describe the water which stays above the ground due to the impervious surfaces such as roads, pavements, roofs and buildings, and all the hard surfaces which replace natural surfaces in urban areas. Large amounts of water can’t soak into the ground, so they form their own water-course. As the water washes over the surface, it picks up waste, such as oil, nutrients, chemicals and litter, which is left on the ground by our everyday activities. It then carries them into the river via the stormwater drains, and then generally out to the bay.

Run-off beneath the ground is far more insidious. This is the flow of water which creeps through the ground, leaching out all of the subsurface fertilisers, nutrients, and other chemicals, until finally it deposits them into the river systems.

Insensitive agricultural practices with chemicals can also cause major run-off problems. As with urban run-off, agricultural run-off occurs both on and below the surface. In particular, agricultural run-off can contain large amounts of nutrients. Fertilisers used to promote high-yielding crops, have contributed substantially to unhealthy river systems, by providing nutrients for eutrophication.

Along with the nutrients in agricultural run-off are pesticides. Not surprisingly, chemicals which are used to kill pests can, if improperly used, poison fish and other life in the river.

DO YOU CARE?

Some of your everyday activities may cause pollutants to be washed into waterways:

  • Washing your vehicle in the street
  • Dumping grass clippings in the gutter
  • Improperly disposing of paint waste
  • Hosing down paths and driveways
  • Improperly using and disposing of chemicals, pesticides and fertilisers
  • Allowing soil erosion to occur on your property
  • Not maintaining your vehicle
  • Allowing your animals to foul roadways and footpaths

The solution is as easy as this:

  • Washing your vehicle on a grassed area to trap and absorb oil, grit and detergents, or use a commercial car wash
  • Composting all grass clippings and garden refuse
  • Allowing paint to dry and disposing in the garbage
  • Sweeping all paths and driveways, collecting debris and disposing in the garbage
  • Reduce dependence on pesticides, chemicals and synthetic fertilisers. Dispose only at chemical collection sites.
  • Stabilising exposed soil surfaces with grass and plants.
  • Have your vehicle regularly tuned and maintained.
  • Collecting animal waste and disposing in the garbage.

By preventing chemicals, oil, grit, litter and animal waste from entering our storm water drains and waterways we will have cleaner, safer and healthier rivers and oceans.

A polluted environment affects our lifestyle and costs us all money.