Have you noticed this blue crab with the words “This drain is just for rain” stencilled beside roadside drains in Mandurah? If you have,you were looking at a stormwater drain that flows directly out to the nearest body of water.

Did you know?

Everything that goes down stormwater drains ends up untreated in our rivers, lakes, the estuary and the ocean? Pollutants in stormwater are having a disastrous impact on all aquatic life, not only harming fish, plants and wildlife, but reducing the water quality for humans.

What can happen?

• Birds and fish can become entangled in rubbish
• Algal blooms can result from a build up in nutrients found in animal waste and in chemical products used by households and businesses
• Oil slicks can occur when oils are poured down drains or wash from the streets into the gutter

How can you help?

1.	Keep excess nutrients out of our waterways Wash your car on the lawn instead of the driveway so the soapy, nutrient rich water soaks into the grass rather than running into the stormwater drain or take it to a carwash that recycles water Clean up after your pets – bury animal waste in the garden, dispose of it down the toilet or take it in your greenwaste to the Waste Management Centre. Animal waste hosts dangerous bacteria that can spread to plants, animals and humans that use the water. Put garden clippings in the council green waste collection or a covered compost bin, never hose them down the drain - click here for tips on composting and mulching Backwash your pools into a soakwell, not into a roadside drain Minimise your use of fertiliser and pesticides – use phosphorous and nitrogen free products.
2.	Keep stormwater drains free from rubbish Bin all your rubbish – secure overflowing bins and keep gutters litter free Clean up soil, sand, mud or other material as soon as possible
3.	Keep chemicals out of our waterways Don’t rinse paint brushes out over hard surfaces - remove excess paint before rinsing out water-based paint brushes in garden Fix leaking engines and take motor oil and other chemicals to the council Waste Management Centre for safe disposal.

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