As it makes its way from hard surfaces to the sewer system and into the Don River, stormwater absorbs and carries pollutants like rust fragments, road salt, anti-freeze, and gasoline. The impact of these pollutants on flora and fauna is dramatic. In downtown areas of Toronto, stormwater mixes with sanitary sewage in older, undersized sewers which overflow when they reach capacity during rain storms. This overflow, which is more polluted than pure stormwater, dumps into the stormwater sewer system and into the Don River. Stormwater contributes to flooding by collecting and diverting large amounts of run-off directly into the Don.
Flooding is problematic because it causes erosion problems.
You can help reduce the amount and impact of stormwater entering the Don. Developers can install stormwater management features such as detention ponds, drainage ditches, etc. All Torontonians should keep from dumping contaminants into catch-basins on roads and parking lots. Many of these catch-basins are marked with yellow fish painted by school children to educate people about the connection between stormwater and Don River water quality. For information about events or activities related to theTask Force to Bring Back the Don, call 392-0401 unless otherwise indicated in this newsletter.