Our streets, driveways, roofs and paved areas add to impervious surfaces that can increase the volume of stormwater that flows into catchment infrastructure and into our local rivers and creeks.

Extra stormwater can pick up litter and other contaminants from our streets. On our own residential blocks stormwater flow can carry pesticides, herbicides, grass clippings, detergents, soil and oil residues into the stormwater system.

In the following case studies you can see how local residents have been able to reduce stormwater flow on their properties, capturing some of the “first flush” pollutants during heavy rainfall events, and enhancing their local garden ecosystems with native plants.