Waterway quality

Published on 12 July 2022

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Urban development in Maroondah and Melbourne has resulted in significant declines in the water quality of our waterways.

Report pollution

To report pollution in a waterway call the Environment Protection Authority's (EPA) 24-hour pollution hotline on 1300 37 842

Pollutants in stormwater

All the stormwater from our streets washes into the underground stormwater system and then into our creeks.

This stormwater contains a range of pollutants including:

  • commercial run-off, including oil, chemicals and waste
  • general litter such as plastic bags and cigarette butts
  • sediment run-off from building sites
  • chemical run-off from industrial sites
  • fertiliser and pesticide run-off from gardens.

How pollutants impact our water

Pollutants impact on the quality of water in our creeks by:

  • smothering habitat, which drives aquatic animals out of their home.
  • reducing oxygen levels from decomposition of green waste dumped into drains, such as lawn clippings, making aquatic habitats unsuitable for many species.
  • adding high levels of sediments, reducing the light available for the growth of plants.
  • increasing human health risks from syringes, broken glass and cans washing onto creek banks.

How to protect out waterways

You can help to protect our waterways by making these simple actions.

Protecting waterways at home

  • Make sure all rubbish, including cigarette butts, is put in a bin.
  • Do not sweep leaves and green waste into the gutter. Compost them or make sure they are collected using Council or other collection services.
  • Carry plastic bags while walking your dog so you can pick up their waste and place it in a bin.
  • Don't put household chemicals, oils or paints into the stormwater system - dispose of them at a waste collection depot and clean your paintbrushes without allowing waste water to enter the drains.

Protecting waterways on building sites

  • Contain rubbish on-site.
  • Stop erosion and keep mud from trucks and machinery on-site.
  • Contain stockpiles on-site, making sure the stockpiles can't run into drains.
  • Clean equipment on-site, using appropriate containment measures. 

Protecting waterways on building sites

  • Contain rubbish on-site.
  • Stop erosion and keep mud from trucks and machinery on-site.
  • Contain stockpiles on-site, making sure the stockpiles can't run into drains.
  • Clean equipment on-site, using appropriate containment measures.

Further information

For information on protecting our waterways visit Melbourne Water.

Contact Council's Strategic Planning and Sustainability Unit on 1300 88 22 33 for information on stormwater protection on building sites.

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