The message ‘The sea begins here’ is being displayed at various storm drains to encourage everyone to dispose of waste properly and protect our water quality together. The campaign highlights how waste and pollution end up in our waterways. Some storm drains discharge water directly into ponds and rivers, meaning waste thrown into them can end up directly in surface water. Polluting substances washed away by rainwater can also reach surface water. Furthermore, water treatment cannot remove all waste from sewage, and during heavy rain, the sewage system can become overloaded, leading to partially untreated discharge.
A storm drain or sewer is not a trash can. Whether on the street, at home, at school, at work, or on holiday, the municipality urges everyone to dispose of waste where it belongs: in the correct bin. This includes sorting waste, putting cigarette butts in an ashtray, disposing of dog waste bags with residual waste, taking cooking oil and other oils to the recycling center, and returning expired medication to the pharmacy. The slogan ‘the best waste is no waste!’ is emphasized.
Reducing paved surfaces also helps. During heavy rain, a lot of water quickly flows into the sewer system because it cannot infiltrate the soil through hardened surfaces. By de-paving and greening where possible, rainwater is given more space to infiltrate the ground locally.
