Messy DIY jobs can affect environment

POLLUTION: Aquatic life is at risk when DIYers get casual about where pollutants drain to.PHOTO/FILE

Think of the fish when you start that DIY summer project, says the environmental protection team at Greater Wellington Regional Council.

People need to be careful using products that can run into stormwater drains as they can damage aquatic life, says Susan Smith, environmental protection team leader.

"People don't realise some of the drains discharge into the closest stream," Ms Smith says.

She said in summer they find an increase in pollution incidents resulting from do-it-yourself activities when more people are outside painting, cleaning the house or washing the car.

"People will ring in and say such and such stream is running white," she says.

GWRC environmental spokeswoman and councillor Barbara Donaldson said detergents, paint and oils are some of the most noticeable DIY products spilled, and are responsible for damaging aquatic life and reducing water quality. Lower river flows and warmer water temperatures in summer mean waterways and coastal areas are already under pressure.

"It takes just one thoughtless act to spoil our swimming water and destroy whole colonies of living things," she says.

Ms Smith said they mostly relied on the public to alert them to pollution incidents. She said often incidents were short-lived, making it difficult to trace who was responsible but warnings can be issued for repeat offenders.