What is Pollution Prevention?
The Impact of Urban Development on the Health of our Watershed
Urban development can significantly alter the distribution of water in the hydrologic cycle, water quality, stream morphology, flooding and erosion. Rainfall runoff that washes across lawns, parking lots, outdoor storage areas and roads carries with it sediment, lawn fertilizers and pesticides, metals, road salt and any other contaminants that are present. These pollutants are then transported via catchbasins and storm sewers to the receiving waters.
What is Pollution Prevention? "the use of processes, practices, materials, products, substances or energy that avoid or minimize the creation of pollutants and waste, and reduce the overall risk to the environment and human health." Learn more about pollution prevention in the Sheridan and Cooksville area. |
Activities That Can Cause Pollution
There are many different land use types and activities that take place across the City of Mississauga.
Below are some of the activities that can cause pollution. Consideration of improved operation and maintenance of privately and publicly owned land, buildings, and infrastructure will reduce pollution generation and pollutants from entering our storm sewer system, creeks and Lake Ontario.
Check out our factsheet series for more information on pollution prevention opportunities and find out how you can make a difference.
List of Common Activities That Can Cause Pollution
| The application of fertilizers and pesticides to maintain turf lawns and landscaped features |
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| Vehicle maintenance and repair |  |
| The use of de-icers to keep our roads, parking lots and sidewalks safe |  |
| Pool maintenance activities such as backwashing your pool filter |  |
The storage of waste in dumpsters |
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| Improper cross connections between the storm and sanitary sewer |  |
| Accidental spills of hazardous materials |  |
| Outdoor Storage Areas directly connected to the storm sewer |   |
| Outdoor Fuel stations |   |
