Stormwater is the rain and melted snow flowing from your property and roads that drains into streets, ditches, storm drains, local creeks and the Credit River into Lake Ontario. Stormwater drains to the natural environment. Preventing pollution from contaminating stormwater protects plants, fish and other animals downstream and also our critical drinking water supply from Lake Ontario.
Here are some ways you can help prevent contaminated water from entering the City’s stormwater system:
- Does your car need a wash? Consider taking it to a commercial car wash that is connected to the sanitary sewer. Dirt, soap and other pollutants from your car flow into the City’s stormwater system when you wash your car in the driveway.
- Take active steps to prevent any fertilizer products for your lawn and garden from over-spraying onto the roadway, sidewalk or driveway. Rain washes these pollutants directly into local waterways through the City’s stormwater system. Fertilizer in creeks, rivers and Lake Ontario can cause toxic algal blooms.
- Store household wastes and chemicals in proper waste containers and take waste chemicals to a Community Recycling Centre.
- Always pick up pet waste and dispose of it properly. Pet waste contains bacteria, viruses and high levels of nitrogen and phosphorous that make it a serious threat to water quality.
To learn more about Mississauga’s stormwater system and how to prevent stormwater pollution, visit mississauga.ca/stormwater.
To learn more about Mississauga’s parks and amenities, visit mississauga.ca/parks.