Managing Storm Water
Did you ever wonder where the drains in your neighbourhood lead to or what happens to all that rainfall?
Well, those drains, known as storm drains, collect the rain and melted snow that drains off roads, parking lots and driveways. The storm drains empty into an underground storm drain system and the contents are quickly discharged into the streams. These streams are home to trout, salmon and other fish and we need to protect their habitat by not introducing a deleterious substance into those storm drains.
Some residents don’t realize that what they are dumping down the storm drain might be harmful to fish in a nearby stream.
Common Household Products that are Hazardous to Fish
Cleaning Products
- detergents
- drain and toilet cleaners
- rug and upholstery cleaners
- leather preservers
- dry cleaning agents
- car wash detergent
- polishing agents
Paints and Solvents
- paints
- shellacs
- lacquers
- varnishes
- enamels
- paint thinners
- paint and varnish strippers
- rustproof coatings
Automotive Products
- motor oil
- antifreeze
- brake fluid
- carburetor cleaner
- gasoline
- gasoline additives
- transmission fluid
- degreasers
- sealers
Pesticides
- disinfectants
- insecticides
- fungicides
- rodenticides
- herbicides
- molluscides
- wood preservatives
Business Best Management Practices
Storm drain contamination is a particularly important issue in Port Coquitlam. The roadside and parking lot storm drains are separate from the sanitary sewer. Therefore, these storm drains discharge untreated into Port Coquitlam’s 30 km of open creeks and streams. These creeks form an important network of watercourses, which provide natural habitat for salmon, trout, and other aquatic life.
Best Management Practices
To prevent contaminants from entering the storm drain system and ultimately our creeks and rivers, we suggest that you implement the following best management practices. Please refer to the links on the left hand side of this page for information that is specific to your business.
Storage and Disposal
Store cleaning and deodorizing chemicals, polishing compounds, solvents, acids and caustics in a secure area where spills will be contained and will not enter the drainage or the sanitary sewer systems.
Certain chemicals may require special disposal. Follow the manufacturer’s directions for disposal of all products. For further disposal information, contact the manufacturer, the BC Recycling Hotline at 604-732-9253 or the Ministry of Environment at 250-387-3205.
Ensure that flammable liquids do not enter drains, sewers or other plumbing fixtures. Flammable liquids can create explosive conditions in our sewers.
Some waste fluids are considered “special wastes” under the Waste Management Act. All special wastes require special handling, storage and disposal considerations.
Train employees on proper techniques and ensure all employees, maintenance companies and customers are aware of their important role in preventing storm drain contamination.
Spills
Spills must be contained and cleaned up immediately to prevent the material from entering the drainage or sanitary sewer systems. Please follow the clean-up procedures as listed in the product’s Material Safety Data Sheet.
Some chemicals may be flammable, toxic, corrosive, or have other hazardous properties. Call the Fire Department immediately at 911 or the Ministry of Environment, Provincial Emergency Program at 1-800-663-3456, if in doubt about any spill situation.
Enforcement
Section 11 of the City of Port Coquitlam Sewer Maintenance Bylaw, 1971, No. 1091 states that:
11. No gasoline, napha, or other inflammable liquid or explosive substance, and no grease, oil, lye, free acid, mud, grit, plaster of paris, lime, clay or any other trade or industrial waste which may injure, or impair the efficiency or safety of the sanitary sewer system or storm drain system, through deposits forming in same or owing to the attacking and weakening of such sanitary sewer or storm drain, shall be discharged into any sanitary sewer system or storm drain system within the City.
In addition, the City of Port Coquitlam Waterways Protection Bylaw, 1969, No. 917 Section 2 states that:
2. Every person is prohibited from polluting any stream, creek, waterway, watercourse, waterworks, ditch, drain, or sewer, whether or not it is located on private property.
Violators of the provisions of these bylaws shall be guilty of an offence punishable on summary conviction and shall be liable to a fine of at least $200.00 and up to $2,000.00 and imprisonment for up to six months. Also, violators will be held responsible for any associated clean up costs.
Persons responsible for storm drain contamination could also be liable under the following environmental legislation:
- The Federal Fisheries Act
- The Provincial Waste Management Act
- The Provincial Fish Protection Act
Please note: This information is provided as a guide only. The information is compiled from various sources and is NOT warranted as to its accuracy and sufficiency by the City of Port Coquitlam. It is the responsibility of the business licence applicant to comply with all applicable bylaws and legislation.