River Aware Pledge

Hunter’s Hill Council is a member of the Parramatta River Catchment Group, a regional organisation whose aim is to work together to improve the health of the Parramatta River catchment.

You can get involved by taking the River Aware Pledge and adopting five simple actions at home to reduce litter, pet waste, chemicals and other pollutants from entering our waterways.

 

 Click here to take the River Aware Pledge

 

1. Cover it up

Keep garden materials away from wind and rain.

• Sweep or blow leaves and dirt from driveways and curbs back onto garden beds or place into a bin
• Use a catcher when you mow
• Cover piles of dirt or mulch that could blow or wash away
• Never dump garden waste into drains, creeks or bushland

Did you know: grass clippings that end up in our waterways contribute to algal growth, depriving other marine animal and plant life of oxygen.

 

2. Leave only paw prints

Picking up pet waste stops nasties washing away.

• Carry pet waste bags when walking the dog or use bag dispensers at local parks
• Place bagged pet waste into the bin

Did you know: pet waste contains harmful bacteria and parasites that can spread diseases and cause serious illness in humans.

 

 

3. Come clean

Wipes, tissues, nappies and hygiene waste all belong in the bin.

• Place a bin in the bathroom at home or
use sanitary bins in public toilets
• Never flush wet or ‘flushable’ wipes down the toilet
• Never flush anything from a fish tank down the toilet

Did you know: waste products can clog drains and cause wastewater to back up and overflow into homes, backyards and local waterways.

 

 

4. Do it on your lawn

Washing your car on the lawn or at a carwash will keep fine particles and soap out of the river.

• Wash your car on the grass or use a commercial
car wash
• Use a low phosphorus detergent sparingly

Did you know: detergents washed down stormwater drains can be harmful to marine animal and plant life.

 

 

 

5. Keep it clear

The drain is for just for water – chemicals, oils, paints and litter don’t belong there.

• Store chemicals in closed, labelled containers
• Drop off old or unused chemicals to Community
Recycling Centres
• Call Sydney Water immediately on 13 20 92 if you
see water where it shouldn’t be
• Check and maintain old and cracked pipes regularly
using a licensed plumber
• Always pick up litter from parks and the street
curb or verge
• Pick up any litter that has fallen on the ground after bin collection

Did you know: chemicals and microplastics can build up in marine organisms, harming them and the animals that feed on them, including us.

Source: Parramatta River Catchment Group

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