Stormwater is rainwater and melted snow that runs off surfaces such as rooftops, driveways, sidewalks and roads. It flows into the city's stormwater drainage system before eventually releasing into the environment. As it travels, stormwater picks up pollutants such as pet waste, fertilizer, pesticides, oil/automotive fluids and litter. Many residents, businesses and visitors in Brampton are unaware that runoff from older neighbourhoods flows directly into the environment, including Lake Ontario - our primary source of drinking water. Since the majority of the stormwater drainage system is underground and out of sight, the connection between our streets and the environment is unseen.
"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 are painting murals around catchbasins to raise awareness of the drainage connection from our streets to the environment and inspire pollution prevention to protect local waterways.
