We have all seen it: paper, aluminum cans, plastic wrappers, unwanted food, plastic bags and bottles, cigarette butts, diapers, and more on the side of the road or on the sidewalk. Small amounts of litter around your home and neighborhood contribute to a big water quality problem. Trash and litter clog storm drains and cause flooding which can damage homes and businesses. Trash and litter that does pass through the storm drain or travel down a drainage ditch flows directly into nearby rivers and streams, impacting drinking water supplies, wildlife, and recreational use of our rivers and streams.
What Can You Do?
Be the solution to water pollution by following these tips:
- Never put anything in the storm drain or drainage ditch.
- Properly dispose of trash before it becomes litter.
- Keep garbage can lids secure.
- If you see litter and trash in your neighborhood, pick it up and properly dispose of it.
- Organize or participate in a stream cleanup or participate in a storm drain marking event. For more information, contact our office at (770) 944-4325, option 4, or by e-mail to publicworks@austellga.gov.