HomePage / City Services / Water & Sewage / Stormwater Management / Preventing Pollution: Why it Matters

Preventing Pollution - Why It Matters

From the storm drain, stormwater flows mostly untreated into natural waterbodies. When waste like yard debris, construction materials, waste fluids or chemicals enters drains or ditches, it can:

  • Block the flow of water, increasing the risk of flooding
  • Damage fish habitat and aquatic ecosystems
  • Introduce harmful pollutants into rivers, lakes, and eventually the ocean
  • Create costly cleanup and maintenance challenges for the City

Only Rain in the Drain

Everything that enters a storm drain ends up in natural waterbodies. That's why it's important to keep pollutants out. The City has a Storm Sewer Bylaw that regulates what can and cannot go into Nanaimo's storm sewers. Read the bylaw to learn more. 

Want to help keep pollutants out of our stormwater system?

See practical steps in What You Can Do. Together, we can protect Nanaimo's waterways and keep our stormwater system flowing safely.

Last updated: September 15, 2026

Give feedback on accessibility. Submit your feedback through our online accessibility feedback form. Help us understand barriers people face when accessing City services.

You can attach files to help explain the barrier you faced in the form, like: a video, voice recording or photos. If American Sign Language (ASL) is the best way for you to communicate, upload a video of yourself using ASL into the form.

Please include: what you were trying to access, where the barrier happened, what the barrier was and any recommendations you might have.

Thank you for your assistance. One of our website team will look into the reported issue shortly. Loading animation

Help us improve our website

Don't include private or financial information in this form.

Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act Statement:

Information collected on this form is done so under the general authority of the Community Charter and Freedom of Information and Privacy Protection Act (FOIPPA), and is protected in accordance with FOIPPA. Personal information will only be used by authorized staff to fulfill the purpose for which it was originally collected, or for a use consistent with that purpose.

For further information regarding the collection, use, or disclosure of personal information, please contact the Legislative Services Office at 250-755-4405 or at foi@nanaimo.ca