What you can do
Our waterways and water resources need protecting and all Victorians, from individuals to businesses and organisations, have a vital role to play. This can range from reducing our water use and recycling water to help to conserve our precious drinking water supplies, through to preventing litter or pollution from degrading our waterways and ocean.
There are many ways we can reduce our impact on the water environment. Here are a few handy tips on how we can all help keep our waterways healthy:
Also view our eight tips for cleaner waterways.
Conserving water
Factors such as climate change, population growth and extended drought are placing increasing pressure on our finite water resources. This has increased community interest in water conservation.
It is better to reduce water use and avoid generating wastewater in the first place, instead of trying to identify alternative water supplies and reuse options. At the household level, there are many ways to conserve water, such as installing water efficient appliances (for example dual flush toilets, front-loading washing machines, water-efficient showerheads), taking shorter showers, and planting water-efficient gardens with native species or rain gardens that don’t require as much water.
Refer to http://www.ourwater.vic.gov.au 
for more water saving measures and programs available, both at the individual household level, and for business and industry.
The water conservation hierarchy
Reusing and recycling water
Reusing and recycling water and other alternative water supplies is a key part of reducing the pressure on our water resources and adapting to climate change and population growth. When considering alternative water supplies, it is important to choose the most appropriate water source considering the risk, resource and energy requirements. You should also consider when and how much water is needed and available. Further information is available on reusing and recycling water and alternative water supplies including; rainwater, stormwater, greywater, sewage, industrial water and managed aquifer recharge
Preventing pollution
Reporting polluters
If you observe someone dumping anything down a stormwater drain you can report a complaint to EPA.
Call EPA and report the incident. You should have as many details as possible so that a formal pollution complaint can be made.
Making litterers pay
Litter dropped in the street will be swept into street drains next time it rains, ending up in our creeks, rivers, beaches and bays.
Report litterers to EPA's 24 hour toll free Litter Report Line on 1300 372 842 (1300 EPA VIC)
Preventing stormwater pollution Information on what we can do about stormwater pollution is available.
More information on threats to our water environment.
Making litterers pay
Litter dropped in the street will be swept into street drains next time it rains, ending up in our creeks, rivers, beaches and bays.
Report litterers to EPA's 24 hour toll free Litter Report Line on 1300 372 842 (1300 EPA VIC)
Eight tips for cleaner waterways
- Place your cigarette butts in the bin; don't drop them on the street – Butts dropped in our streets get washed into stormwater drains and end up in our creeks and on our beaches. They account for about half of all litter found on our beaches.
- Put your litter in a bin or take it home – All litter dropped on the street follows the same path: through the stormwater system, to our beaches and creeks.
- Compost or mulch leaves and grass clippings; don't leave them in the gutter – Leaves and other garden refuse washed into stormwater drains end up polluting our creeks and beaches. Keep your paths, driveways and gutters clear by using a broom rather than a hose. Compost or mulch leaves and grass clippings.
- Don't allow paint, turps or cleaners to enter drains - Dispose of unwanted chemicals, solvents and oils responsibly. Never pour chemicals into the gutter or drain. Use regular chemical collections in your area to dispose of chemicals.
- Wash your car on grass (if water restrictions allow) or at the carwash. Don't allow detergents to enter the gutter – If you wash your car on your driveway or the street, soapy water, mud, oil and grease can flow into drains. If you choose to use a commercial car wash, use one that recycles the wash water.
- Have building supplies delivered to your site – If left on the footpath, road or nature strip, the wind and rain will sweep pollutants into stormwater drains.
- When cutting bricks and pavers, do it over grassed areas or a container that collects sediment
- Take action! If you see someone throwing litter from a car or other vehicle, don't put up with it – make litterers pay. Report them to EPA's 24 hour toll free Litter Report Line on 1300 372 842 (1300 EPA VIC)
What can we do about urban stormwater pollution?
The most effective way to reduce stormwater pollution is to stop it entering the system in the first place. In other words, if you look after your local drains, you can dramatically improve what happens in our creeks, rivers and the bay. Individuals can help reduce stormwater pollution through the following actions.
Household tips* to prevent stormwater pollution
Washing your car
Wash your car on a grassed area (if water restrictions allow) rather than on the road, or take it to a car wash facility that recycles its water. That way the detergents and dirt will not run down the road and into a stormwater drain.
Fixing your car
If you are fixing your car at home do not tip engine oil into stormwater drains. Check with your local council regarding chemical collection services. Also make sure your car is regularly maintained so it does not leak oil or petrol.
Composting
An alternative to allowing leaves or garden clippings to accumulate in gutters or driveways is to sweep them up and start a compost heap or use them in your garden as mulch. This way you will prevent them entering the street drain where they can cause pollution.
Put litter in a bin
Make sure all your litter ends up in a bin. Litter dropped in our streets ends up in our street drains and is transported to our waterways following rain.
Paint brush cleaning
Rinse paint brushes in the laundry trough or garden rather than letting the contaminated water flow into the street stormwater drain. Tip or wipe excess paint on brushes onto newspaper or a rag. Allow to dry and then place this waste in a bin.
Cleaning the footpath
Always sweep rather than hose your footpath and place waste in the bin. Hosing with water carries dirt, soil or other waste into the street drains.
Pick up dog droppings
Always clean up after your animals. Dog dropping left in our streets ends up in our street drains and is transported to our waterways following rain.
Avoid using weed killers close to rain period or in wind Landscape using native pants
Native plants are more suited to Australian conditions and require less water and fertilisers.
* For more information on preventing stormwater pollution at home, businesses and industries, please refer to EPA's Reducing Stormwater Pollution Kit.
Resources
Get information about water programs, legislation and publications: