Best practice stormwater management

The drain is just for rain

Chemicals, oils, paints, litter and plastic feedstock don’t belong there. Don’t let anything other than clean rainwater enter the stormwater drain on or near your premises.

Chemical storage

To avoid spills, leaks or discharges of chemicals down the drain you need to:

  • store them appropriately
  • have bunding and spill kits on your site.

This applies to the typical liquids found within many industrial and some commercial premises, including oils, solvents, fuels, acids and paints.

General steps to improve stormwater management

Aerial photo of Fingal Bay Spit, Tomaree National Park

  • Keep your site clean and tidy.
  • Have a licensed plumber regularly inspect valves, pumps, pipes and hoses.
  • Contact businessrecycling.com.au to find out where you can drop off old or unused chemicals.
  • Pick up any litter that has fallen on the ground after bin collection.
  • Prevent plastic pellet loss by:
    • containing spills
    • cleaning up swiftly and effectively
    • installing containment systems.

Operation Clean Sweep NSW

We can help industry reduce the leakage of plastic feedstock into the environment. Feedstock includes:

  • plastic resin pellets
  • plastic flake and powder
  • recycled chip.

To learn more, email us at litter.prevention@epa.nsw.gov.au.