Surface Water Protection Branch

Background

Urban runoff carries oil, pet waste, sediment, garden chemicals, and other toxins into storm drains and canals which flow into streams, estuaries, and beaches.

Sediment is also washed out of construction sites, agricultural lands, and yards when Best Management Practices (BMPs) are not properly and sufficiently implemented. When sediment is carried to our coastal waters, it can smother coral, pick up pollutants and pathogens, and make beaches unsanitary for swimming. Even car tires leave residue on roads that contains the chemical 6PPD-quinone, a pollutant shown to negatively impact certain species of fish.

Overall, the best ways to reduce urban nonpoint source pollution are to properly dispose of potential pollutants and reduce the area of impervious surfaces that runoff can flow over.

Best Practices

• Apply lawn and garden chemicals sparingly & follow directions.
• Keep trash, pet waste, and debris out of street gutters and storm drains.
• Dispose of used oil, paints, and other household chemicals properly, not in storm drains or down the sink. Call the Department of Health for disposal information.
• Do not hose spilled brake fluid, oil, and grease into the street where they can eventually enter storm drains. Dispose of these in trash cans, in containers or after soaking them up with paper towels.
• Reduce soil erosion by planting ground cover & stabilizing erosion-prone areas.