Only rain down the drain
Paint and other chemicals do NOT belong in our water system!
It might seem like the easy solution to get rid of old paint, motor oil and antifreeze by pouring it down the storm drain near your home, but that choice has negative impacts to the environment. It affects the fish and animals living in our creeks and rivers, and the drinking water system we rely on each day!
Only rainwater should enter the storm sewer system as the water is not treated at a treatment plant before travelling back into the environment. Watch this video to learn more about the stormwater process.
If you are out in the community and spot a substance, such as paint, gasoline or motor oil, spilled on a sidewalk, road, greenspace or waterway, please report it immediately to the City of Vaughan at 905-832-2281. Any liquid that looks abnormal in colour or has a visible sheen or film may be a sign of an environmental spill.
We need your help in reporting these spills so staff can respond quickly. When reporting, provide as much information as possible, such as the exact location or nearest address, what it is or looks like, if you saw how the spill happened and how long it may have been there.
We take all spills seriously. Per the City's Sewer Use By-law 130-2022 (PDF) and its amending By-law 076-2023, the resident or business that caused the spill will be responsible for the cost of the work to trace, clean up and restore property and infrastructure, as required.
Hazardous products like the ones listed above must be disposed of at a York Region waste depot and never placed in the garbage or poured down the drain, toilet or outdoor sewer grate. Metal and plastic paint cans that are completely empty and clean of paint, with the lids removed, can be placed in the blue box for curbside collection.
For more information on environmental spills, visit the City’s spills and hazardous materials webpage.
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