Council investigates water pollution discharged into the region's waterways, creeks, dams and stormwater catchments under the Environmental Protection Act 1994 (the Act). The Act prohibits water pollution and the potential for water pollution. Pollution of waterways can occur in a number of ways, including:
- release of a contaminant directly into a waterway
- placing of a contaminant where it could be expected to move or be carried by rainfall into a drain, gutter, creek, river or other body of water.
Types of Water Contaminants
Water contaminants include things such as:
- oil (including vegetable and cooking oils)
- paint
- lawn clippings, soil, sand, mud & other vegetation
- concrete slurry
- car, roof or driveway cleaning chemical runoff
- batteries
- tyres etc.
A more comprehensive list of other substances prohibited from entering stormwater or other body of water is provided in the drop down below. Please contact Council's Environmental Health team if you require further information or to report a water contamination incident.
This is a list of all materials that are legally considered water contaminants:
- chemicals or chemical waste
- a gas other than oxygen
- a liquid containing suspended or dissolved solids
- a liquid that has a temperature different by more than 2°C from ambient water temperature
- animal matter including dead animals, animal remains and animal excreta; and water used to clean animals, animal enclosures or vehicles used for transporting animals
- ashes, clay, gravel, sediment, stones and similar organic or inorganic matter
- a substance that has a pH outside the range 6.5 to 8.5
- building and construction materials, including bitumen, brick, cement, concrete and plaster
- building, construction and demolition waste, including bitumen, brick, concrete cuttings, plaster and waste water generated by building, construction or demolition
- clinical waste
- glass, metal parts, paper, piping, plastic and scrap metal
- industrial waste
- oil, including, for example, petroleum or vegetable based oil
- paint, paint scrapings or residues, paint sludge, water used for diluting paint or washing painting utensils, and waste from paint stripping
- plant matter, including, for example, bark, lawn clippings, leaves, mulch, pruning waste, sawdust, shavings, woodchip and other waste from forest products
- putrescible waste, including for example, food scraps
- sewage and sewage residues, whether treated or untreated, and any other matter containing faecal coliforms or faecal streptococci, including for example, waste water pumped out of a septic tank
- vehicles and components of vehicles, including for example, batteries and tyres
- waste and waste water, generated from indoor cleaning, including, for example, waste from carpet or upholstery cleaning and steam cleaning
- waste and waste water, generated from outdoor cleaning, including, for example, waste generated from high pressure water blasting of commercial and industrial premises, fuel dispensing areas, plant or equipment, roofs, streets, vehicles and wharves
- waste generated from repairing or servicing motor vehicles, including, for example engine coolant, grease, lubricants and oil
- waste water, including backwash from swimming pools, condensate from compressors, water from air-conditioning or cooling systems and waste water from grease traps.
Source: ESR/2015/1865 Noise, odour, dust—making a complaint (des.qld.gov.au)
Reporting Significant Pollution Incidents
Reports of significant pollution incidents should be made to the Department of Environment and Science (DES) via the Pollution Hotline. DES are responsible for undertaking compliance activities on industries and activities that pose a greater environmental risk. Examples of significant pollution incidents include:
- significant fish kills (not including bycatch)
- chemical truck/vehicle rollover
- factory fires (if a premises is currently on fire call 000 immediately)
- pipeline break
- major sewage spills
Building & Construction Sites
Water pollution as a result of poorly managed building and construction site waste can cause a serious impact on our environment.
Builders and developers have an obligation to prevent the deposit or release of sand, sediment, silt, rubbish or other building materials into Council gutters, stormwater drains and waterways.
Potential Penalties
Council’s Environmental Health Officers enforce the Environmental Protection Act 1994 to ensure that the potential discharge of sediment, sand, silt runoff and/or rubbish discharge into waterways is prevented to protect water quality. If you cause water contamination, Council’s officers can issue on-the-spot fines for failing to comply with the Act.
Significant fines and penalties exist and Council officers will investigate any valid complaints received.
Last edited date 27 Feb 2023