What is Stormwater?

Stormwater is water plus anything the rain carries along with it such as leaves, soil, rubbish and dissolved chemicals. In urban areas, the rain that falls on the roof of your house, or collects on driveways, roads and footpaths is carried away by a series of pipes into our waterways such as Farmers Creek, Lake Wallace, Pipers Flat Creek and Limestone Creek. Stormwater is not treated.

The amount of stormwater produced depends upon a number of factors. For example:

  • the last rain and it's intensity
  • land uses in the catchment
  • size of urban development
  • vegetation cover
  • practices of local residents

 
 

Channels leading to Farmers Creek


Williwa Creek, Portland

Lake Wallace

What makes up my Stormwater System?

From the roof of your house, driveway and the roads and footpaths of your town, the stormwater enters:


In Lithgow a series of concrete pipes and open concrete and natural channels which drain into Farmers Creek. Once in Farmers Creek, the stormwater travels to Lake Lyell where it meets the Coxs River. From Lake Lyell, the stormwater travels via the Coxs River to Lake Burragorang, which is Sydney's drinking water supply.



In Portland a series of clay and concrete pipes which flow into Limestone Creek. Limestone Creek then flows into the Williwa Creek.



In Wallerawang a series of clay and concrete pipes which either empty straight into Lake Wallace or into Pipers Flat Creek which then flows into Lake Wallace. From Lake Wallace, the Coxs River takes the stormwater to Lake Lyell and Lake Burragorang.

What Causes Stormwater Pollution?

There are three main types of stormwater pollution:

  • litter, such as cigarettes butts, cans, paper or plastic bags
  • chemical pollution, such as detergents, oil or fertilisers
  • 'natural' pollution, such as leaves, garden clippings or animal droppings.

These types of pollution end up in our waterways as sediment, sludge and solids.

How Does Stormwater Pollution Affect Us?

Stormwater pollution affects our community and environment in a number of ways. For example:

  • sediment in the water reduces the amount of light penetration and affects photosynthesis for aquatic plants.
  • as green waste decomposes in the water it uses up oxygen which would normally be available for aquatic plants and animals.
  • soil makes our waterways cloudy and can suffocate fish by clogging up their gills.
  • litter clogs up our waterways and causes toxicity as it breaks down affecting plants and animals that live in or utilise our waterways.
  • reduces the usability of our waterways for drinking, swimming and boating.
  • litter and sediment destroy the visual amenity of our waterways.

 

 

Blue Green Algae

The nutrients contained in stormwater pollutants contributes to blue green algae blooms which have been experienced in Farmers Creek, Pipers Flat Creek, Lake Lyell and Lake Wallace. These blooms restrict the use of these waterways.














 

What Can We Do?

We can help prevent stormwater pollution from ruining our waterways by taking steps to stop pollutants from ending up in our gutters and drains.

In the Garden:

  • Sweep your gutters and driveways rather than hosing them down.
  • Place leaves and grass clippings on the garden as mulch or compost them.
  • Cover piles of soil, sand or mulch to stop them washing into drains.
  • Grass or replant areas of disturbed soil.

Your Dogs Droppings

  • Pick up your dogs droppings and dispose of them in the rubbish bin.

In the Home:

  • Dispose of household chemicals properly

In the Street:

  • Put your cigarette butts and other litter in the rubbish bin.
  • Pick up litter in the park or on the street.

With the Car:

  • Wash your car over gravel or grass and use a minimum amount of detergent.
  • Pour any leftover soapy water onto the lawn.
  • Check the car for any fluid leaks and get them repaired.

Renovating:

  • Wash brushes and rollers over a sand filler on the lawn.
  • Keep the paint, turps and solvents clear of gutters and drains.
  • Allow unused paint to dry out and then put it in the bin.

Fines $

The Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 makes it illegal to pollute waters and provides for a range of on-the-spot fines for such offences with greater fines being available to the Courts.

On-the spot fines of $750 for individuals and $1500 for corporations, may be imposed if a person allow soil, earth, mud, concrete, oil, detergent etc to be washed or placed in a position from where it is likely to be washed into stormwater drains.

 

What is Council doing?

Lithgow Council is concerned with the quality of stormwater entering our waterways from the urban areas of Lithgow, Portland and Wallerawang. Council has completed and/or is undertaking the following projects to improve the quality of our storm water.

Lithgow Stormwater Management Plan

This is a strategic document that aims to improve the water quality and health of Farmers Creek and the Coxs River by identifying practical and long-term solutions to stormwater pollution problems.

The Plan was adopted by Council at its meeting of 29 September 2003. To view the list of actions to be undertaken this year, please click here.

In addition to listing actions to improve water quality, the Plan also establishes an Observational Monitoring Program which supplies information on the following:

  • Existing conditions within the stormwater system;
  • The effect of implementation of the Stormwater Management Plan actions on conditions within the stormwater system
  • Areas requiring more scientific monitoring; and
  • The need to employ water quality control measures/practices.

To view the lastest monthly results, please click here.


 

 

  • Drain stencilling in Lithgow & Wallerawang

    Drain Stencilling is an educational tool that involves the painting of a stormwater message on our street drains to remind people that whatever they put down the drain affects the quality of our waterways. The project was funded by the Sydney Catchment Authority, with assistance from the former Coxs River Catchment Management Committee. It focused on the stencilling of drains in Lithgow and Wallerawang.

 

 

  • Educate for Stormwater

    Council was successful in gaining funding under the Stage 4 of the Stormwater Trust Grant Program for the Educate for Stormwater Project. This project aims to develop and implement stormwater education program to minimise the impact of urban stormwater on local regional waterways. It focuses on the residential, building and development, school and Council sectors of the community.

    The following activities and educational tools have or are to be undertaken during this project.

  • Information sessions and training courses for council operation staff, the building and construction industry and school teachers.
  • Advertising in the Lithgow Mercury, 2LT, KISS FM and on Council stationary, television, display and street banners.
  • Installation of Butt Bins and associated signage in the Lithgow, Portland and Wallerawang CBD.
  • Distribution of calico bags from Councils libraries.
  • Installation of Dog Tidy bins in Lithgow.
  • Drain stencilling at Portland.
  • Drink coasters to be used at local clubs and pubs during the project campaign.
  • Distribution of POOch pouches (bags that attach to a dog lead and stores bags so that you can pick up your dogs business)
  • Distribution of an information brochure and magnet to Lithgow, Portland, Wallerawang residents
  • Displays at Councils Administration Centre, Libraries and the new Learning Centre site.
  • Stormwater Stickers
  • Stormwater page on Council's website.

REMEMBER THE DRAIN IS JUST FOR RAIN

This project has been assisted by
the NSW Government
through it's Stormwater Trust