A PROJECT has been launched in a bid to stop untreated fats and oils contaminating the lakes in Poole Park.

The environment group running ‘Litter Free Coast’ has teamed up with Poole Park Life to encourage residents and businesses to get involved with the new ‘Only Rain down the Drain’ campaign.

Across a large part of Poole, rainwater and foul sewer drains are separate.

This means anything going down a street, storm or rainwater drain is not filtered or treated before it is directly pumped into Poole Park’s lakes and lagoon.

Project officer Sarah Spurling explained: “Understandably, most people don’t think about what happens to waste water once it’s gone down the drain, but which drain it goes down can make a big difference to what happens next, and how that affects Poole Park’s popular lakes and lagoon.

“We will be working with businesses and the community to help make sure the right thing goes in the right place.

This means that cleaning fluids, fats or oils all go down the foul drain to be treated and, when it comes to street drains, we all put ‘Only Rain down the Drain’.”

Artwork and drain markings, all using environmentally safe materials, will be used for the campaign.

A drain marker trial has been painted outside and inside Poole Park using chalk spray and stencils. And a mural has been painted outside the parade on Commercial Road, opposite Poole Civic Centre.

There will also be advice tailored for residents and businesses, and interactive exhibits, events and even an eco-car wash.

Borough of Poole environment portfolio holder Cllr John Rampton said: “The two freshwater lakes and saltwater lagoon in Poole Park are fantastic features of the park and this campaign helps to ensure they are in the best condition for people and wildlife.

Local residents and businesses need to be aware that checking and correcting misconnections is their responsibility.

The water sports that take place on the lagoon, or boating lake, are completely safe, but if only rain goes down the drain then it will help to improve the water quality for the benefit of wildlife, adding to the rare species that already live there.”