Why is the Don River polluted?
The number one cause of pollution is run-off from rain and snowmelt. Pollutants carried into the river include oil, grease, dirt, bacteria from animal waste, road salt, chemical pesticides and litter. The sheer volume of stormwater causes repeated flooding and contributes to riverbank erosion. Increased erosion, combined with the dirt from streets and yards, adds to the brown colour of the river. In addition, during heavy rain storms combined sewers and treatment plants overflow causing untreated sanitary sewage to flow directly into the river.
