Chemicals flowing into Mississauga catch basins end up in Lake Ontario, the city’s water source
Published August 23, 2022 at 1:58 pm
Oil, soap, leftover paint or any pollution left to flow into catch basins can end up in Lake Ontario.
As it is international water week, the City of Mississauga is reminding people how easily pollution can flow into the city’s catch basins, and then into the drinking water source.
“Avoid letting oil, soap or any pollution flow into catch basins,” the city tweeted.
Mississauga’s stormwater system does not include water treatment like the sanitary sewer system, the city notes on their website.
“Everything that goes into the storm sewer system ends up in the natural environment,” the city states.
With this week’s heavy rainfall, the storm sewers were likely working overtime. And all the oils or fluids from cars, leaking fluids from dumpsters, paint, pet waste and other pollution can easily be washed into the sewer system.
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All that water flows into creeks and finally into Lake Ontario.
“Mississauga and other communities take our water for drinking and other uses from Lake Ontario,” the city notes.
The city is reminding people to clean up spills and don’t pour waste (like leftover paint or used oil) down catch basins.
During world water week, the last week of August every year, Mississauga is raising awareness around the issue.
“This #WorldWaterWeek, let’s show our waterways some love,” the city tweeted.
insauga's Editorial Standards and Policies advertising#DYK water that runs off your property can wash pollution into roadside catchbasins. These drain into local creeks and rivers and finally to Lake Ontario – our drinking water source💧
This #WorldWaterWeek, let’s show our waterways some love🤗. Tips to prevent pollution⬇️ (1/2) pic.twitter.com/BlSQcaMxSR
— City of Mississauga (@citymississauga) August 23, 2022