In early August, soap was found in our local creek.
Even small amounts of soap, detergent, or other hazardous materials can be deadly to fish, aquatic insects, and the sensitive ecosystems that live here.
Remember:
Unlike wastewater from your home (which goes to a treatment plant), stormwater does not get treated. After rain or snowmelt, stormwater runs across driveways, roofs, lawns, and streets, picking up anything in its path — including soap, oil, paint, pesticides, and chemicals — and flows directly into catch basins, ditches, stormwater ponds, and our creeks.
Anything you pour into a storm drain, perimeter drain, or ditch goes straight into the environment — into fish habitat and marine waters where it can cause lasting damage.
Roof Cleaning — Do It Safely
- Asphalt, cedar, and untreated wood shingles: Use only plain water or a non-hazardous cleaning solution.
- Treated wood shingles: Dry wash only — these shingles contain toxic chemicals that must not wash into drains or waterways.
Household Hazardous Waste — Safe Disposal
Never dump hazardous materials into a drain, gutter, ditch, or onto the ground.
Find the proper disposal location for your item using the Town’s Wizard Tool:
- Visit comox.ca/solidwaste.
- Scroll halfway down to the magnifying glass symbol labeled Wizard.
- Search for your item to see drop-off locations for safe disposal.
The Wizard covers items like:
- Engine oil & filters
- Paint & solvents
- Pesticides & chemicals
- Related materials (paint trays, oily rags, etc.)
Let’s keep our creeks clean. What you pour today can harm fish tomorrow.
This same information is published each spring on the Town's social media platforms - click here to view the current posting in the website News section.