Page 5 - 2025 Spring 02 English

Keeping our Down the storm drain

waterways clean These drains are often
mistakenly thought to be
linked to the treatment

network but in most cases,
their contents go directly to a
waterway, meaning that waste
containing harmful chemicals
such cleaning fluids, fats and
oils, paints and car washing
water can all end up polluting
our rivers and seas.

Litter from the air
Wales is home to a Rivers, canals and streams Balloons, sky lanterns and

network of amazing rivers, A report by the Canal and River Litter on the beach fireworks may look great, but
lakes, canals and coastal Trust revealed that over half a Any litter that is discarded on they can cause big problems.
ecosystems. However, these million plastic items reach the our beaches will most likely Once these items are in the air,
waterways are threatened seas every year, carried along enter the sea due to the tides we have no control over where
by contamination from litter rivers and canals. What’s more, or weather. they go, and some can travel
and waste, which poses risks pollution also comes from for miles before landing in the
to water quality as well as road and agricultural runoff sea.
wildlife, environmental and and sewage overflows, which Down the toilet
human health. combines with plastic pollution Items such as wipes, cotton

to have negative impacts on our buds and sanitary products
that are wrongfully flushed
It is estimated that 80% of waterways. down the toilet can cause
litter in the sea has come from blockages or travel to sewer
a source on land, but how overflows into our waterways.
does it get there?