Let’s Keep San Diego Bay Clean: Easy Ways to Prevent Stormwater Pollution
Debris and pollutants left outdoors can wash into our stormwater and eventually reach San Diego Bay.
Don’t forget, the bay belongs to all of us, and it's up to everyone to keep it pollution-free. Here are a few fun facts and action items to help keep our bay clean!
Storm Drains vs. Sewer Drains
Storm drains and sewer drains are two separate systems!
- Storm drains are often found on street curbs or in parking lots, and they take UNTREATED water to the bay or ocean.
- The sewer system takes wastewater from sinks, toilets, and other sources to a facility where it is TREATED before discharging into the ocean.
Since storm drains aren’t treated, we have to try our best to keep them free of pollution.
Everyday Example: Car Wash
Wash your car at a designated car wash instead of at home in your driveway. If you wash it at home, all the dirt and oils on your car can run off into the storm drain and go straight to the bay, but designated car washes are specifically connected to the sewer system to treat the runoff instead.
About the San Diego Bay Watershed
San Diego Bay is at the bottom of the watershed, so all the precipitation, streams, and storm drains in the area ultimately drain into the bay.
What does this mean? Any pollutants picked up by these water sources within the 220-square mile San Diego Bay Watershed Management Area can also make their way into our bay.
FYI: Trash isn’t the only thing that can get washed into storm drains and the bay when it rains.
Trash may be the most obvious pollutant, but chemical fertilizers, chemical cleaners, chemical pesticides, trace metals, debris, oil leaks from cars, and pet waste all have the potential to end up in the bay.
Here’s How You Can Make a Difference
Prepping ahead of a rain event is a responsibility we all collectively share. Here are a few easy to-dos before a rain event and beyond.
Rain Event To-Do List
- Make sure trash cans are covered with secure lids.
- Clear and dispose of excess debris from lawns such as leaves and extra grass, which can clog drains.
- Soak up driveway oil leaks with kitty litter, then sweep it into a bag and dispose of properly as household hazardous waste.
- Turn off your sprinkler system to prevent overwatering.
- Move your machinery, equipment or any chemical substances indoors or under overhead cover where rain or wind can’t reach them.
Everyday Actions
There are a few eco-friendly habits or changes you can implement regardless of the weather forecast.
- Home maintenance: If you need to use pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers, or cleaners around your yard or driveway, opt for environmentally friendly (eco-friendly) versions instead of the chemical alternative.
- What’s environmentally friendly? Eco-friendly products will contain ingredients derived from plant animal products instead of complex chemicals.
- Example: Use compost instead of fertilizer.
- Example: Use compost instead of fertilizer.
- What’s environmentally friendly? Eco-friendly products will contain ingredients derived from plant animal products instead of complex chemicals.
- Auto and outdoor machinery maintenance: Keep up to date on routine maintenance with your car and other outdoor machinery to prevent oil leaks.
- Regular car washes: Make sure to wash your car when it is dirty and do so at a designated car wash so any dirt or oils on your car can’t make their way into storm drains or the bay.
- Pet care: Be sure to always pick up after your pet! The bacteria, parasites and viruses found in pet waste have the potential to make people sick, and aren’t good for the environment either. So don’t forget to scoop the poop.
- Sprinkler system know-how: Generally maintaining sprinkler systems can prevent leaks and make sure you’re not overwatering.
- FYI: San Diego County has a rebate program for weather-based irrigation controllers, which can automatically adjust the sprinkler schedule for weather changes.
- Water-saving systems: Get rain barrels or rain-saving gutters for your yard or house to prevent overirrigation, soil erosion, urban runoff, and flooding. By saving the rainwater and using it later for your garden and lawn, you can save money on your water bill and reduce demand on our drinking water supply! Check out San Diego County's waterscape rebate program for rain barrels and other water-saving systems.
