Dear editor,
Reading recent articles in the Record about the deadly effects of a chemical in rubber tires (6PPD), on coho salmon in our local streams, you might think, “We sure don’t make it easy on those salmon…” and you’d be right.
Do you ever wonder where all the salt, dirt, oil, chemicals and debris on our roads go after a rainfall? Or, what happens to the cleaning products, detergents, and moss removal chemicals we use on our roofs and driveways? They are carried by rainwater through our stormwater systems which all drain, untreated, to the nearest creek, river or ocean.
Chemicals that enter the stormwater system will likely kill fish. Here in the Comox Valley, that often means salmon, and in the spring and summer, it is predominantly baby coho salmon.
Homeowners and local cleaning companies often use bleach and detergents to kill moss on roofs and driveways, believing by the time these small amounts of chemicals reach our streams and waterways, they’ll be so diluted that no damage will occur. Not true.
After reading dozens of articles and speaking with biologists from D.F.O and the province, I’ve learned that stormwater pollution is a huge problem on the Island, and results in large number of fish kills every year. I was told that all moss removal products sold in local hardware stores can be toxic to fish.
A recent article by the E.P.A. states that household bleach requires dilution of at least 310,000:1, and biodegradable soap requires dilution of at least 20,000:1, to be safe for fish.
What can we do to reduce the risk to salmon?
Don’t dump any materials down storm drains or onto the street. “Only Rain Down the Drain”.
Wash vehicles and boats at a commercial car wash, or on an unpaved surface so the water and chemicals are absorbed by the ground.
If any chemicals are used on your roof to kill moss, disconnect (or have the cleaning contractor disconnect), all gutter drains from tie-ins to the storm drain system, and direct the flows to where they will be absorbed by the ground. If you see a roof with white powder on it, have a friendly conversation with your neighbour about the risk, and how it can be easily mitigated.
Now more than ever, salmon sure could use our help.
Leon Fisher and Michele Roy,
Courtenay