Stop the Pollution
We all produce waste, including animals, fish and birds. However humans produce more waste than most, an inevitable result of being industrious and inconsiderate.
Because we live in big cities, farm the land and manufacture products to make life sweeter, we pollute the planet. Concentrations of waste, including toxic chemicals are the result. The waste may be tolerable if it weren’t in such concentration. Large volumes are produced in small areas and then inevitably discarded, through dumping into landfill and into waterways. Polluted water is a huge hazard, causing overload on natural systems.
Farm waste, factory waste, sewage wastes; they can all be improved by treating. When the pollution slips through untreated, our waterways are at risk.
Spilling pollutants onto the ground or into storm water grates is a real issue. The pollution carries out into our waterways, killing fish and harming aquatic life. It may go unseen but the results will be noticed over time.There are hefty fines for those caught contaminating waterways, the Resource Management Act prohibits the discharge of any contaminated water without express permission. Penalties for Act breaches include fines of up to $200,000 for each offence, and $10,000 a day for continued offending. Add to that a two year prisons sentence and the seriousness of the offence is obvious.
Pollution comes in the form of silt pollution form urban subdivisions, cowshed and piggery effluents, rural industries such as abbatoirs and timber treatment plants. Food and dairy, chemical and manufacturing industries, even sewage disposal can cause pollution with long reaching effects.
At home, car washing, radiator flushing or engine washing should be done on a grass verge or roadside verge. The soapy or dirty water can be cleaned up by the grass and microorganisms before getting into the stormwater grate and then a stream, river or harbour. Liquid chemicals such as pesticides, herbicides or solvents should never be tipped down a drain. The drain water goes out to the river and sea via a gully trap, it doesn’t get treated.
When storm water goes into the sewer via a gully trap, it can flood the sewer and cause overflows. Gully traps should always be set high enough that rainwater and hose water doesn’t run into it.
Keeping exterior paths clean of spillage and chemicals is good housekeeping and needs to be practiced at home and at work. If a spill does occur, the Regional Council has a hotline to call for advice. Safe waste disposal can actually save money. Sometimes the waste is reusable. A recycling depot at work sees spills avoided and could actually make some money for the social club, as plastic, glass, metals and paper are collected and recycled.