Water Resource Management

Water Wise Measures

Water Wise Measures are in place to ensure the conservation of water for the needs of all South Australians now and into the future.  Penalties continue to apply for non-compliance. For more information click here.

Be Stormwater Smart

Stormwater Pollution Prevention Project

At work or around the home, many of our activities have the potential to pollute creeks and rivers.

What is stormwater and where does it go?
Stormwater is rainwater that is not absorbed by the earth and flows over watertight surfaces such as roofs, driveways, footpaths and roads into street gutters and into the stormwater system that connects to local waterways and the sea.

The stormwater system is separate from the sewerage system. Unlike sewage, stormwater is not treated before it enters the environment, so only clean rainwater should enter the system.

What are the most common stormwater pollutants?
Litter, motor oil, paint and grease, lubricants, cleaning fluids, cigarette butts, detergent, building waste , garden chemicals and fertilisers, leaves and garden waste are all common stormwater pollutants.

What's so bad about stormwater pollution?
Unfortunately, a great deal of pollution enters our waterways via the stormwater system. Individually, our contribution may seem small, but the total impact on animal and plant life that depend on the waterways can be dramatic.

• Sediments such as soil and sand make our waterways cloudy and stop plants receiving enough light to be able to live and grow.
• Organic material such as grass clippings and leaves use up oxygen as they break down, suffocating plants and animals.
• Litter builds up in waterways. As it breaks down its toxic materials affects animal and plant health.

So, what can I do at home?
There are many things that you can do around the home to prevent stormwater pollution, including:

• Sweeping up leaves and grass clippings and put them in the bin or compost them
• Washing you car on the lawn with a bucket (subject to SA Water restrictions) or take it to an approved car wash
• Keeping driveways and footpaths clean using a broom (not by hosing) and put the sweepings in your bin
• Cleaning up after you dog
• Using fertilisers sparingly and not using them close to drains and waterways
• Covering stockpiles of soil and sand and making sure they are not too close to the roadside or gutter
• Fixing oil leaks on you car and servicing it regularly to prevent leaking oil from dripping onto the road
• Putting cigarette butts in the bin and not dropping them on the ground

So, what can I do at work?
There are many things that you can do at work to prevent stormwater pollution, including:

• Storing chemicals undercover in a bunded area
• Developing and implement a spill response plan
• Minimising loss of materials by covering stockpiles of bulk goods or installing devices to capture materials that do escape
• Managing cleaning operations to use minimal water and chemicals
• Preventing wastewater from entering the stormwater system and direct wastewater to the sewer via a trade waste connection or arrange removal by a licensed contractor
• Installing stormwater treatment devices to treat runoff from hard paved areas clearly identify entry points to the stormwater system
• Preventing water from fire sprinkler pipework systems from entering the stormwater system
• Preventing water from air conditioning units from entering the stormwater system

Where can I get more information?
Playford runs the Be Stormwater Smart pollution prevent project in conjunction with the Adelaide & Mt Lofty Ranges Natural Resources Management Board. Our Be Stormwater Smart officer can provide your home or business with free, practical advice on how to help keep our waterways pollution-free.

Be Stormwater Smart officers can also provide you with information on environmental laws, policies and regulations.

The aim of the BSS project is to reduce the level of pollution entering the stormwater system from the small business and industry sector and impacting on water quality in the watercourses, groundwater and drainage systems in the catchment and coastal environment.

This is done by:

• developing a close working relationship with industrial, retail and commercial premises, including the building and construction and automotive industries and mobile operators to increase knowledge on stormwater issues, to develop and implement strategies to prevent pollution of our waterways.
• creating a more environmentally aware business and industry community that understands the importance of preventing stormwater pollution and avoids practices that lead to pollution entering our waterways via the stormwater system and groundwater
• raising awareness about stormwater issues amongst local government staff to prevent council activities contributing to pollution of our waterways
• conducting environment site reviews of priority industrial and business premises.
• identifying mechanisms by which information and technical advice relating to stormwater and wastewater management, water conservation, chemical management, environmental management and business sustainability can be provided to small businesses and networked between businesses and associations.
• providing assistance to business and industry regarding compliance with the environmental laws, policies and regulations.

The Environment Protection Authority has a series of fact sheets about stormwater management including fact sheets for the disposal of swimming pool back wash water, for the home and mobile DIY handyperson and for landscape gardening and garden maintenance. The EPA also has guidelines for general environmental issues. Click here to find out more.

Be Stormwater Smart is a partnership project between the City of Playford and the Adelaide & Mt Lofty Ranges Natural Resources Management Board