Who are the biggest polluters of the Don?
The biggest polluters of the Don are not factories, farms, mines or mills. They are you and me! The worst pollution in the Don comes from “stormwater”. This is the water that flushes off hard surfaces in urban areas – roofs, streets, sidewalks, parking lots, etc – and into storm sewers, which flow into the Don. This stormwater collects pollutants like: pesticides and fertilizers (from lawn care); petroleum products (leaking from vehicles or thoughtlessly disposed of); paints and solvents (thoughtlessly poured down storm grates); road salts (applied by the city to roads and by residents to their sidewalks); and animal feces (including pet wastes). Unnaturally high levels of dirt and plant material (like leaves), washing off streets, building sites and road works contribute to an excessive sediment load – and a muddy appearance. Illegal sewer connections sometimes allow toxic substances to enter the river from homes and businesses. “Combined” sewers in older parts of the city allow sanit
