P.E.I. watershed group disappointed by volume of garbage found in local stream
CBC
A local watershed group says it was shocked to see so much garbage in a local stream recently, and is speaking out in the hope that more people will think about the environment and disposing of garbage properly.
The Charlottetown Area Watershed Association says it removed about six bags of garbage from behind the Hidden Valley subdivision, which is still under construction.
The group found a mixture of regular garbage and large construction materials, which clogged the waterway.
The group's co-ordinator, Ajhma Dhakal, said they often find garbage in local streams.
"It's everywhere. Earlier this year, we cleaned up about 200 kilograms of garbage from all our watershed."
Dhakel said the group sees a lot of cups and food wrappers, as well as lighter construction materials that blow away from sites.
"It's really sad to see, it impacts our water quality and impacts the wildlife that rely on it, so it's really bad," she said. "Even a small piece of garbage can impact... the fish that rely on it, because it's a fish habitat."
Dhakal said while the association will continue to clean the streams, there's a role for the community to play.
"It's a broader community issue. So I think if everyone would be responsible for their garbage and [be] mindful, then we'll definitely see a lot less problem in our waterways."
Heather Laiskonis, executive director of the P.E.I Watershed Alliance, said many people don't realize their garbage ends up polluting streams.
"It's mostly due to wind. We don't typically find people intentionally putting things in the stream. It really gets there just because we're so wind battered."
Harley Harper, who has lived next to the Hidden Valley subdivision for 13 years, said he has noticed more garbage in the area recently, and attributes it to the construction.
"Styrofoam, or vinyl, a piece of plastic wrapper from various building products, [I] see them on any windy day flying by, you know, going down the street," he said.
"They do try to collect but, on a windy day, you just can't chase every bit and piece."
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