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​​​​The City of Canterbury Bankstown has numerous r​ivers, creeks and waterways in which we love to swim, fish and boat. When it rains, the stormwater collects any material or pollutant on the ground which enters the closest stormwater drain and then discharges to a river or creek. Common sources of water pollution include litter, construction site runoff, paint, oil, chemicals and sewerage. ​

Ways to prevent water pollution at home include:

• Washing your car on the lawn or using a commercial carwash. Don't let detergents go down the stormwater drain;
• Picking up rubbish around your property and street;
• Collecting lawn clippings and leaves from the road or footpath an putting them in the green bin;
• Putting cigarette butts in the bin; and
• Picking up dog droppings.

Ways to prevent water pollution at work include:

• Storing liquids and chemicals under cover and in a bunded (contained) area;
• Carrying out work involving oils and fluids indoors and in a contained area;
• Ensuring that you have approval from Sydney Water to discharge commercial or industrial waste to the sewer;
• Maintaining all pollution control devices (for example grease traps); and
• Implementing pollution prevention measures at building sites.

The Protection of the Environment Op​erations Act 1997 provides regulatory measures to control water pollution and is enforced by Council's Environmental Health and Compliance Officers.

Council also conducts environmental audits of commercial and industrial premises to ensure these businesses meet environmental standards.  

More information

For further information about water pollution, please contact the NSW Environment Protection Authority on 131 555 or refer to EPA website.​

Contact 

If you would like Council to investigate an water pollution incident, or for further information, ​contact Council's Environmental Health and Compliance Unit on 9707 9000.