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Natural Resource Management
Stormwater Management
What is stormwater?
Stormwater is any water that flows into the street gutters and stormwater pipes. These pipes are separate from the sewerage system. Stormwater is not processed in the sewerage works. Stormwater washes over open areas such as gardens, paths, driveways, buildings and industrial sites. It eventually ends up in our wetlands, Lake Forbes or the Lachlan River.
Stormwater Pollution
Drainage systems not only collect water, they collect all kinds of chemicals and materials that are transported by the water. Some of the chemicals and materials are dangerous or hazardous, or are not poisonous but may be produced in such great quantities that natural systems simple cannot cope. This results in the pollution of our waterways.
Effects of stormwater pollution?
Environmental - The effects of stormwater pollution include killing plants and animals that live in the water, threatening natural ecosystems and habitats.
Economic - Failure to achieve ecological sustainability will have significant adverse consequences on the economy and for society. Short-term solutions to waste disposal are often not environmentally friendly but seem to be cheap. The short-term solutions end up costing the community more in the future when dealing with the environmental problems it causes. Therefore, a view for long-term stormwater waste management needs to be adopted by the community in order for the community to continue to grow and prosper, with a view of waste management and environmental conservation.
What are the Main Pollutants?
Stormwater pollution may be divided into three categories
Natural - organic material; such as leaves, grass clippings and soil sediment
Chemical - such as detergents, fertilisers, oil and greases
Litter - such as plastic bags, drink containers, wrappers, cigarette butts
What is being done by Forbes Council?
The constructed Wetland was built by Forbes Council and Forbes Urban Landcare Group. It collects and filters stormwater before it enters the lake.
Council is implementing actions contained in its Stormwater Management Plan including: Water quality monitoring, Trade waste management and installation of various pollution controls.
Supporting stormwater education in schools and the community is a major part of Councils program. This includes sponsoring a school and community water testing project through the DLWC's Water Watch program
Further Information?
There is a state stormwater initiative currently being implemented by the Council that incorporates a NSW Community Stormwater Education Program. The education program aims to increase awareness about Stormwater pollution and ways to reduce pollution. More information can be obtained from the Stormwater web page or by contacting Council.
Erosion & Sediment Control
Contact Council for information on procedures and controls, and obtain a builders information kit on environmentally safe workplace practices
For information on planting/maintenance/removal of trees on nature strip contact council.
Tree Species List (LINK)
Revegetation Plan (LINK)
Salinity Management
Salinity from rising watertables is grouped into dryland, irrigation and urban salinity. River salinity and industrial salinity can be observed as related phenomena. Dryland salinity is the build up of salt in the soil surface in non-irrigated areas, usually as a result of a rising watertable. Irrigation salinity is caused by over irrigation, inefficient water use and poor drainage. Urban salinity results from a combination of dryland salinity processes and over-watering in towns and urban areas.
The Forbes Shire Council Salinity Management Plan can be accessed from Here (LINK)
Useful Links
NSW EPA
Department of Land & Water Conservation
Contact details
Forbes Shire Council
02 6850 1333 (ph)
02 6852 3053 (fax)
forbes@forbes.nsw.gov.au
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