Impacts on Water Quality

The water quality of local waterways and wetlands is impacted by a broad range of human activities. After rain, litter, oil and other pollutants left on the ground and roadways are washed into stormwater drains which feed into our local waterways. 

 

Land management activities including the clearing of vegetation, stock access and construction, all contribute to reducing the quality of local waterways and wetlands, adversely affecting their environmental and recreational value.  As urban development occurs and more impermeable surfaces are constructed (buildings, roads, paths etc), the volume of stormwater runoff entering waterways, wetlands and ultimately Port Phillip Bay also increases. 

 

Higher volumes of stormwater not only lead to more pollutants entering the natural water systems, it can also change the physical nature of our waterways through erosion; flooding is also an issue.  Flooding can lead to significant property damage, as well as assisting in the spread of noxious weeds.  Maintaining permeable surfaces (where water can pass through rather than run off), and capturing and using stormwater are two ways in which we can reduce the pressures on local waterways created by stormwater.

 

Further Information