WH&S Issues

Being Safe Around Surface Water Drainage

Surface water drainage can be dangerous.

Only observe surface water drainage with adult supervision.

Children must NOT enter drains or remove/lift drain covers under ANY circumstances.

It’s important that you don’t go into drains- even in fine weather.

Stormwater drains are dangerous because:

• water in drains can rise quickly and unexpectedly, even when it's not raining.

• when it rains, huge amounts of water can suddenly wash into the drain.

• if you're swept away by water in a stormwater drain, you may not be able to get out and could even drown. Even shallow water can be very powerful and could knock you over

• drains can contain pollution like broken glass, dangerous chemicals and disease causing bacteria. E.g., drains can have insufficient air or toxic gases that prevent breathing.