Surface Water Drainage Protection

Toolbox Talk Record

Ref: TBT-ENV-017  |  Issue: 1  |  Date: March 2026
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What?

Why?

Protect watercoursesSurface water drains flow directly to rivers and streams — any pollutant entering them causes immediate environmental harm.
Legal consequencesPolluting controlled waters is a criminal offence carrying unlimited fines and potential imprisonment.
Ecological damageSilt, cement, and chemicals kill fish, invertebrates, and plants, sometimes taking years for ecosystems to recover.
Do Don't
  • Identify all surface water drains on site and mark them on the drainage plan
  • Protect surface water drain inlets with covers, neoprene mats, or drain guards
  • Install silt fences and settlement ponds to intercept sediment before it reaches drains
  • Direct concrete washout water to designated containment areas only
  • Store fuel, oil, and chemicals on bunded hard standings away from drains
  • Brief all site workers on the location of surface water drains and protection measures
  • Inspect drain protection measures daily and after heavy rainfall events
  • Report any spill or discharge to a surface water drain immediately
  • Use spill kits promptly to contain and clean up any accidental releases
  • Keep a site drainage plan in the site office for reference by all personnel
  • DON'T discharge any liquid into surface water drains without authorisation
  • DON'T wash out concrete, mortar, or plaster into surface water drains
  • DON'T store chemicals or fuels where spills could reach surface water inlets
  • DON'T remove drain protection measures without replacing them immediately
  • DON'T assume a drain goes to foul sewer — check the drainage plan first
  • DON'T allow site vehicles to track mud and silt into surface water gullies
  • DON'T pour paint, solvents, or cleaning agents into any drain on site
  • DON'T ignore blocked or damaged drain protection — repair it straight away
  • DON'T pump silty water from excavations directly into surface water drains
  • DON'T wait to report a pollution incident — early response limits the damage

See also: Pollution Incident Reporting | Silt and Sediment Control