Why - Boaties should be aware of what type of pollutants, including oil and fuel, detergents, sewage and toxic chemicals, could end up in the water and try to prevent or reduce the impact of those pollutants. Unfortunately, many people still dump their used motor oil in the trash or down storm drains. The used oil from one car engine can produce an eight-acre oil slick, covering more than four million litres of water. You can have an enormous impact on eliminating this pollutant from your club by having prevention systems in place and educating club members.

(Link to Consumer website with information on chemical storage and helpful list of disposal locations throughout NZ.)   https://www.consumer.org.nz/articles/hazardous-waste-a-guide-to-disposal

 

How - Ensure your club has a spill kit in case of oil, paint or chemical spills.

Establish clear best-practice guidelines for refuelling and spill procedures.

Use good signage to help educate and remind members to follow these procedures.

Ensure refuelling of club boats is done in an area that does not run off into drains.

Encourage motorboats to use a bilge sponge or fuelling spill pad when refuelling.

Ensure waste oil from vessels or club tractors/vehicles is disposed of correctly (Repco Autoparts stores in Auckland often have a free disposal bin at their entrance).

Follow local council and wider environmental guidelines and regulations if your venue has haul-out or hard stand facilities.