Common causes of beach pollution
Stormwater Pollution
Beach pollution is most frequently caused by stormwater. When rain falls it transports loose material from the ground into the stormwater system. This includes pollutants such as street litter, dog droppings, cigarette butts, leaf litter, oil and silt and many other chemicals.
Sewer overflows
Heavy periods of rain can overload the sewerage system. Rain enters through illegal connections, cracked pipework or pipes damaged by tree roots. The result can be large volumes of untreated sewage overflowing into our stormwater systems and the receiving environment (your beach or local waterway)
Other catchment activities
A catchment is an area of land which drains to a common point, which may be a stormwater drain or a local creek, waterway or beach. Our day to day activities also add to the pollution load. Cleaning cars in the street, dropping litter in the gutter, oil spills on roads and run-off from building sites can all contribute to the pollution of local waterways and the beach.
People at the beach
Activities at the beach can also cause localised beach pollution. Plastic litter, cigarette butts, food scraps, packaging and fishing waste can impact on beach amenity for some considerable time.
People in boats
Boat maintenance yards, slipways and moorings can be sources of local pollution. Chemicals from hull scraping, oils from engine maintenance and litter left over from boating trips can all find their way into the water and cause pollution.
If you see pollution or people polluting contact your local councils or state Environment Protection Agency.
Alternatively, you can contact your local Surfrider Foundation chapter or visit www.environment.nsw.gov.au beach or www.sydneywater.com.au