Protecting Our Waterways
We all want clean waterways for swimming, fishing, boating or just to look at! Marrickville's local waterways are under threat from a range of pollution sources - industry, commercial businesses and residents. Water from your property and street runs off untreated into the Cooks River, Sydney Harbour, and Botany Bay. Rubbish and pollution is washed into the drain when it rains and travels into the river, bay and harbour.
This water is also a wasted resource. If harvested from rooftops it can be used for irrigation, flushing toilets and other non-contact purposes. If appropriately treated, even water harvested from the road can be used for irrigating parks and playing fields.
What is Council doing about these issues?
- Stormwater Management Service Charge - Stormwater management is about managing the quantity and quality of stormwater runoff from a catchment with the aims of minimising impacts on aquatic ecosystems; minimising flooding; and using stormwater as a resource.
- Subcatchment planning is a local collaborative planning approach that works with the community, experts, businesses and government departments to better manage water locally, to improve water quality in our waterways and save water at the same time.
- The Rainwater Tank Incentive Scheme is Marrickville council’s rainwater tank rebate which aims to reduce the impacts of stormwater on the Cooks River and decrease our reliance on drinking water.
- The Sustainable Irrigation Strategy is a new Council run program for parks situated along the northern foreshore of the Cooks River.
- The Watershed is a joint initiative of City of Sydney and Marrickville Councils, part of an ongoing commitment to supporting sustainable environments.
- Target Sustainability @ Marrickville is a voluntary program for businesses and organisations in the Marrickville local government area that recognises achievement of sustainability targets.
- Free Sustainable Water Workshops is a series of workshops run by Stormwater Management Service Charge to educate and inform the community on ways to manage our water sustainably. Visit our events calendar to browse for workshop dates.
What can I do to help protect our waterways?
Be aware of water in the garden:
- Use a broom not a hose to sweep up leaves and rubbish, then put it in the bin or compost
- Wash your car on the lawn or at a car wash. You’ll protect our waterways while watering the grass
- Sweep the gutter near your bin on garbage night
- Fix oil leaks in your car
- Clean up chemical and oil spills with sand or sawdust and put it in the garbage
- Cover piles of sand, soil or mulch with a tarp to prevent them eroding
- Plant groundcovers where soil is exposed
- Avoid spreading fertiliser when you know rain is due – nutrients cause algae growth in waterways
- Try natural methods of pest control rather than using toxic chemicals
- Clean up water-based paints on the grass, not over the drain. Oil-based paints should be dried out and put in the bin
Apply Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD):
- Choose soft, permeable surfaces when landscaping to decrease stormwater runoff
- Install a rainwater tank. You’ll reduce runoff and have a sustainable source of water for your garden
- Learn more about Water Sensitive Urban Design.
Remember stormwater when on the street:
How can business and industry help protect our waterways?
Council can assist local business and industry to reduce their impact on our waterways. For details contact Council’s Community Sustainability Coordinator or phone 9335 2254.
Sustainable water planning
For details of Council strategies regarding our local waterways, download the following documents:
For more information on protecting our catchments and waterways, contact the Water and Catchments Coordinator, or phone 9335 2104.