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All around Port Phillip Bay, more than 300 stormwater drains are emptied into the bay from 10 municipalities including the Cities of Greater Geelong, Mornington Peninsula, Melbourne and Wyndham, and also Melbourne Water. In Port Phillip, we have 32 council and five Melbourne Water stormwater outlets.
Although a lot of litter is left on the foreshore by beach-goers, litter and other pollutants also wash into our drains when it rains and then enter Port Phillip Bay via the stormwater system. It doesn't matter where you live in Melbourne - Elwood, Moorabbin, Caulfield or Williamstown - all stormwater drains connect to Port Phillip Bay.
Polluted stormwater can result in litter on our beaches, discoloured or smelly beach water and elevated bacterial counts.
Help keep our bay and beaches clean, by making sure the only thing that goes down the drain is the rain.
Expert litter trappers
To assist with improving the quality of the stormwater entering our bay, the council has installed litter traps in our beach-end drains. A litter trap captures litter from the size of a cigarette butt upward. The length of time it takes for the trap to fill with litter, depends on the frequency of the rain and the amount of litter entering the drain.
Last year, 12,000 kilograms of litter were trapped. That is 12,000 kilograms that didn't go into the bay!
In 2003/04, an additional five litter traps will be installed in Port Phillip drains (making 12 in total), further improving the quality of our beach and ensuring it is here for future generations.
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Check your beach conditions
Each summer the Environment Protection Authority (Victoria) program provides the community with information on water quality and beach conditions. For the latest news on the environmental condition of your local beach visit www.epa.vic.gov.au/BeachReport.
For tips on how you can keep our stormwater clean, visit the take action against litter page.
Use eServices to ask us a question, request information or give us feedback online. If you prefer call ASSIST on (03) 9209 6777 or TTy (03) 9209 6713 and ask for Waste Management.
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