"From Streets to Streams" Catchbasin Art Project 2023

What is Stormwater?

Stormwater is the rain and melted snow flowing from our properties onto our streets, into the City’s stormwater drainage system and ultimately into the environment.

Stormwater picks up pollutants such as pet waste, fertilizer, pesticides, oil/automotive fluids, and litter as it flows across the ground and into catchbasins. Catchbasins carries this polluted stormwater into the environment. The connection from our streets to the environment isn't easily recognized because the stormwater drainage system is mostly underground and out of sight.

Many residents, businesses and visitors in Brampton are not aware that pollution from older neighbourhoods flows directly into the environment, including Lake Ontario, our source of drinking water. Stormwater in newer developed areas flows into stormwater ponds.

Stormwater ponds temporarily store and slowly release stormwater runoff over time to prevent flooding and erosion. Stormwater ponds effectively capture solid pollutants and sediment by allowing them to settle to the bottom of the pond, but they are not designed to capture soaps, oils, and fertilizers that are dissolved in stormwater. Those pollutants will still end up in local creeks and rivers, affecting species populations and habitats. 

We can all do our part to protect species that rely on health watersheds.


Catchbasin Art Project

The connection from our streets to the environment is invisible to many because the stormwater drainage system is mostly underground and out of sight.

"From Streets to Streams" - Catchbasin Art Project seeks to raise awareness of this underground stormwater system by drawing attention to its starting point – catchbasins – through art murals.

Local Brampton artists have painted murals around catchbasins to raise awareness of the drainage connection from our streets to the environment, and to inspire pollution prevention to protect local waterways. The project is also engaging schools in the Peel District School Board and Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board to paint catchbasins on school property.

Hear from Lyndsay Cartwright, Senior Research Analyst with the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) speaking about the effects of stormwater pollution on local creeks and rivers and how we can play a part in protecting aquatic health.


Meet the Artists

Sima Naseem

Instagram:  @artbysima.n 

Artist Statement:

For the “From Streets to Streams” Catchbasin Art Project, my artwork draws inspiration from the wildlife that inhabit Brampton’s lakes, ponds and watersheds. Pollutants from streets that flow down catchbasins lead to the homes of these vulnerable creatures. By showcasing these animals living in their natural environment, my goal is to ignite a sense of empathy within the community. Through this connection, I hope to raise awareness about the significance of protecting our local aquatic ecosystems!


Sabbie Narwal

Instagram: @thepapernarwhal

Artist Statement:

Stormwater stewardship is essential in protecting Brampton’s environment and our overall quality of life, —as we depend on healthy waterways and ecosystems.  However, there is a disconnect of understanding between what washes down the streets, flow into drains, and ultimately end up into our waterways. This artwork aims to bridge that gap by educating and inspiring our community to take responsibility and prevent pollutants from entering the environment.

Malachi Watson-Narcisse

Instagram:  @MisterMali 

Artist Statement:

I’m a Brampton-based artist/creative. My art highlights a diverse range of subjects with the hope of fostering a sense of community and connection.


Meet the Schools

Aylesbury Public School

Students at Aylesbury painted three catchbasins on school property

Our Lady of Lourdes

Students at Our Lady of Lourdes painted two catchbasins on school property

St. John Bosco

Students at St.John Bosco painted one catchbasin on school property, two runner up designs that placed second and third place.


Pollution Prevention at Home

General recommendations

  • Never dump or wash chemicals, oil, dirt, or polluted water into catchbasins, ponds, ditches, creeks, or rivers.
  • Keep your property clean and free of litter.
  • Store potential contaminants in containers to prevent accidental spills.

Winter safety:

  • Shovel first. Shovel all the snow you can before using salt or sand. You may find you won’t need that much salt or sand at all.
  • Be mindful of the amount of salt and sand you use.
  • Follow the product instructions when applying ice control chemicals. Salt works best between 0 and -10 Celsius. When it's colder, switch to sand for traction or an ice melter that works at colder temperatures.
  • Use salt or sand only on iced-over areas.
  • Sweep up spilled and excess road salt to save for another time. Salt does not expire.
  • Do not let salt be washed away by rain or snowmelt.

In the yard:

  • Minimize the use of fertilizer to the extent possible.
  • Choose native plants, shrubs, and trees for your yard and garden because native plants need less fertilizer.
  • Apply lawn and garden chemicals only if needed and according to the product’s instructions and regulations.
  • Do not apply fertilizer before, during or immediately after it rains.
  • Avoid spraying fertilizers onto driveways, sidewalks, and roads.
  • Keep yard debris away from roads and catchbasins to prevent blockages in storm sewers and flooding.
  • When removing yard waste, dispose of it in yard waste bags or bins. Do not move yard waste into the road.

Waste disposal:

  • Dispose of food in the Green Bin for curbside pick-up and beverages as liquid waste into household drains connected to the sanitary sewer system.
  • Dispose of cigarette butts in the garbage, not on the ground.
  • Pick up pet waste and dispose of it in the garbage. The City of Brampton’s  Traffic By-Law 93-93  and  Parklands By-Law 161-83  requires all animal owners clean animal waste from City property, parkland, boulevards. Learn more  here  .
  • Dispose of household hazardous materials such as motor oil, antifreeze, and paints at Region of Peel’s Community Recycling Centres.

Draining your pool:

Only drain your residential pool water to the City’s stormwater system while following these recommendations:

  • Wait at least 7 days after the latest chlorine or chemical treatment
  • Wait at least 24 hours after the latest rainfall
  • Check that copper and chlorine levels are below the limits in the City’s Sewage By-law
  • Drain the pool slowly to the curb in front of your home so that water safely enters the City’s stormwater system
  • Follow all other regulations regarding the discharge of pool water.

Cleaning activities:

  • Clean contaminants from your driveway and walkways by vacuuming, sweeping, and using rags or dry absorbents.
  • Avoid cleaning paved areas with water because this will wash contaminants onto the road and ultimately into, rivers and creeks.
  • Wash carpets, outdoor furniture, and other items on lawns or gravel surfaces, not on the driveway or road.
  • Choose non-hazardous cleaning products.

Car maintenance:

  • Maintain cars often to prevent engine fluid leaks and quickly clean up any fluid that has leaked onto your driveway.
  • Use a commercial car wash when possible because water from car washes gets treated at the wastewater treatment plant.
  • Use a sponge and a bucket of water to wash your car at home. Dispose of the polluted water in the laundry sink or toilet so that it gets treated at the wastewater treatment plant. Do not dump wash-water on a driveway or road or into a catchbasin, pond, river, or creek.

Pollution Prevention at the Workplace

We can all play a part in preventing pollution to the environment.

General Techniques

  • Never dump or wash chemicals, oil, dirt, or polluted water into catchbasins, ponds, ditches, creeks, or rivers.
  • Keep your property clean and free of litter.
  • Cover all outdoor waste containers and empty the containers regularly so they do not overflow. 
  • Keep other outdoor storage areas covered to prevent rain from falling directly on the stored debris. 
  • Repair leaky waste containers and place them at least 1 m away from catchbasins and ditches on your property. 
  • Never dump liquid waste or excess kitchen grease/oil into the stormwater drainage system.
  • Choose water-based, natural, and non-hazardous cleaning materials when possible and use safe disposal options.
  • Ensure hazardous materials have secondary containment measures for spill prevention and are stored away from catchbasins and ditches. 
  • Safely store and dispose of all chemicals and cleaning products and clean up spills immediately.

Cleaning Techniques

  • Clear catchbasins of litter and debris to ensure proper drainage during rainfall events. 
  • Clean out catchbasins annually and regularly replace catchbasin inserts.​
  • Never use water to clean up spills, garbage, or waste containers outside. The contaminated water will drain into the stormwater drainage system and pollute local rivers and creeks. 
    • ​Instead, use dry cleaning methods outdoors by using rags, cloths, and brooms to clean up garbage and waste containers. 
  • Outdoor areas should be manually or mechanically swept, and the used material disposed of as solid waste.
  • Manage and contain spills with absorbent materials like granular absorbent, absorbent pads, booms, sawdust, sand, or rags.
  • Ensure all vehicles and machinery are washed in a wash bay or commercial car wash to help prevent contaminated water from getting into stormwater drains.
  • Wash restaurant or food-related equipment like floor mats and filters inside in a sink, and not outside or near catchbasins.

Spill Prevention

  • Inspect parking lots and access roads regularly for spills. Clean up spills and debris as soon as possible and report spills as required (see below).
  • Try to prevent spills. Use a funnel when pouring liquids to prevent spillovers and use a spill pan or bucket to collect spillovers. 
  • Ensure that loading areas are covered to protect from rainfall and have secondary containment to collect leaks and spills that may occur during loading and unloading. 
  • Do not store liquid wastes in dumpsters. Most dumpsters and trash compactors leak. Instead, keep liquid waste in closed containers. 

Employee Training

  • Provide training for all employees about proper handling and storage of materials. Make sure everyone is aware of their responsibility to prevent stormwater pollution. 
  • Ensure that all employees are aware of how to properly dispose of chemicals and manage spills.