Pollution incident or a concern
Water Pollution occurs when a substance enters the water and causes a change to the physical, chemical, or biological condition of the water. Water pollution also includes the depositing of a substance in a place where it may enter the water by falling into, be washed into, be blown into or percolate into a storm water drainage system.
Regulatory powers are available to Council Officers to address water pollution incidents, pursuant to Part 5.3 of the Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997. The regulatory powers are not only available for incidents where pollutants have been introduced directly to a creek or river, but equally applies to any pollution introduced to an area that is likely to travel to a stormwater drainage system (which in turn will drain to a local creek or waterway).
Some of the common types and sources of water pollution are:
- Sediment run-off from construction sites
- Sewerage overflows
- Soap suds from washing cars and boats on the street or driveway
- Paint from washing paintbrushes over a stormwater inlet
- Washing down concrete equipment on the roadway
- High pressure washing of roofs and allowing runoff to enter the stormwater system
- Swimming pool overflow during high rainfall events
- Cigarette butts and other waste material being deposited on the roadway.
