Help your River TODAY
Only Rain Down the Drain
Most of us don’t give much thought to our stormwater drains (until, of course, they start to overflow) but it’s important to know that many of the stormwater drains in Christchurch head directly or indirectly into our rivers. This means that any external products, detergents or contaminants on your property are likely to end up there too. Before you hose oil and dirt off your driveway, before you put moss-killer on your roof tiles, before you wash your car with chemical detergents, think about where that runoff is going to end up. Could you try a natural weed-killer instead of something like bleach or zinc/copper roof strips? Could you clean your car with water only on your lawn, or take it to a dedicated car wash with drainage facilities? Could you sweep the sediment off your driveway instead of hosing it down the stormwater drain?
Don’t Sh*t Where You Drink
E Coli is one of the main offenders in our urban rivers and it is going to be one of the biggest challenges we face if we want to get them swimmable, let alone drinkable. One of the major sources of E Coli is waterfowl poo. So think twice before you go down to the river and feed the ducks. You’ve probably already heard that bread makes them sick but what you may not have realised is that it also makes our waterways sick. But, of course, we all LOVE feeding the ducks, so what do we DO? Try localised and man-made water sites such as Victoria Lake in the Christchurch Botanic Gardens and feed your feathered friends more duck-friendly options such as lettuce and cabbage.
Another major source of E Coli? Dog poo… So please keep an eye on your furry friends as well and don’t forget to take some biodegradable bags with you on your walks. Remember, anything you leave on a riverbank will eventually get washed into our waterways.
Vote With Your Dollars (And Your Time)
In any discussion about New Zealand’s waterways, Nitrates typically end up at the forefront. In those discussions, you’ll inevitably have heard that one of the major sources of nitrates is the fertilisers used in commercial agriculture. How can you help? Do a little homework on the products that you’re buying and remember that every dollar you spend is a vote for the kind of world you want. Are you supporting big, intensive farms with a poor environmental report card? Or are you voting, instead, for smaller, organic producers who are committed to being part of the solution? One of the easiest ways you can do this is to source as many ingredients as possible directly from producers; you can do this easily at any of the fantastic farmer’s markets in Christchurch. Take the opportunity to ask them directly about how their products are grown and produced.
And what about at home? When you fertilise your lawn or garden, the chemicals you are using are functionally the same as those used in commercial agriculture and can still end up in our rivers. Substitute compost for fertilisers in your garden. Better still, learn to make that compost yourself out of your food and garden waste. This is one of the single most impactful things that we can all do at an individual level to make a positive environmental change. Not only will you not be putting nitrates into our rivers, you’ll also be reducing waste and sequestering carbon. And it’s easy! Learn more HERE.
Ask Your Mechanic About Copper-Free Brake Pads
One major contaminant of urban rivers is heavy metals and one of the key ways they can be introduced is through metallic elements in the brake pads of cars. Copper is the most common offender because of its effectiveness at keeping your brakes smooth and quiet.
You may not realise it, but each time you brake in your car, fine particles of copper and other heavy metals flake off and end up on our roadways and then, in storm events, are washed into our rivers. But there are ceramic alternatives - ask your mechanic about them today!
Get Outside and Do Something!
There are a huge number of groups and individuals already doing amazing work on New Zealand’s waterways and they need your HELP!
Volunteer your time to help with physical cleanups of our riverbanks, or riparian planting of native trees and shrubs. This kind of strategic planting can help filter contaminants out before they reach our rivers. Do you have a river-side property? Ask us for resources to help you plant strategically on your own land!
Keep an eye on our Events page to find out when you can help in your area. Better yet, organise a cleanup or planting event of your own and let us know so we can help you promote it.
Photo credit: Eco Life Permaculture