Hi Guest,
The Ocean Begins at Your Front Door
Even if you live miles from the Pacific Ocean,
you may be unknowingly polluting it.
Did You Know?
- Most people believe that the largest source of water pollution in urban areas comes from specific sources such as factories and sewage treatment plants. In fact the largest source of water pollution comes from city streets, neighborhoods, construction sites, and parking lots. This type of pollution is sometimes called “non-point source” pollution.
- There are two types of non-point source pollution: stormwater and urban runoff pollution.
- Stormwater runoff refers to runoff resulting from rainfall. It is very noticeable during heavy rainstorms when large volumes of water drain off the urban landscape picking up pollutants along the way.
- Urban runoff can happen anytime of the year when excessive water use from irrigation, vehicle washing and other sources carries trash, lawn clippings and other urban pollutants into storm drains.
Where Does It Go?
- Anything we use outside homes, vehicles and businesses – like motor oil, paint, pesticides, fertilizers, and cleaners – can be blown or washed into the storm drains.
- A little water from a garden hose or rain can also send materials into the storm drains.
- Storm drains are separate from our sanitary sewer systems; unlike water in sanitary sewers (from sinks or toilets) water in the storm drains is not treated before entering our waterways.
Sources of Non-Point Source Pollution
- Automotive leaks and spills.
- Improper disposal of used oil and other engine fluids.
- Metals found in vehicle exhaust, weathered paint, rust, metal plating, and tires.
- Pesticides and fertilizers from lawns, gardens and farms.
- Improper disposal of cleaners, paint and paint removers.
- Soil erosion and dust debris from landscape and construction activities.
- Litter, lawn clippings, animal waste, and other organic matter.
- Oil stains on parking lots and paved surfaces.
The Effect on the Ocean
Non-point source pollution can have a serious impact on water quality in Orange County. Pollutants from the storm drain system can harm marine life as well as coastal and wetland habitats. They can also degrade recreation areas such as beaches, harbors and bays.
Stormwater quality management programs have been developed by the Orange County Stormwater Program under National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits. The program educates and encourages the public to protect water quality, monitor runoff in the storm drain system, manage NPDES permit process for municipalities, investigate illegal disposals, and maintain storm drains.
The support of Orange County residents, businesses and industries is needed to improve water quality and reduce the threat of stormwater and urban runoff pollution. Proper use and disposal of materials we use everyday will help stop this form of pollution before it reaches the storm drain and the ocean.
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Never allow pollutants to enter the street, gutter or storm drain!
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Dumping one quart of motor oil into a storm drain can contaminate 250,000 gallons of water.
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Follow these simple steps to help reduce water pollution:
Household Activities
- Do not rinse spills with water. Use dry cleanup methods such as applying cat litter or another absorbent material, sweep and dispose of in trash. Take items such as used or excess batteries, oven cleaners, automotive fluids, painting products, and cathode ray tubes, like TVs and computer monitors, to a Household Hazardous Waste collection center.
- For a household hazardous waste collection center near you call (714) 834-6752 or visit www.oclandfills.com.
- Do not hose down your driveway, sidewalk or patio to the street, gutter or storm drain. Sweep up debris and dispose of in trash.
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Automotive
- Take your vehicle to a commercial car wash whenever possible. If you wash your vehicle at home, choose soaps, cleaners, or detergents labeled non-toxic, phosphate free or biodegradable. Vegetable and citrus-based products are typically safest for the environment.
- Do not allow washwater from vehicle washing into the street, gutter or storm drain. Excess washwater should be disposed of in the sanitary sewer (through a sink or toilet) or onto an absorbent surface like your lawn.
- Monitor vehicle for leaks and place a pan under leaks. Keep your vehicles well maintained to stop and prevent leaks.
- Never pour oil or antifreeze in the street, gutter or storm drain. Recycle these substances at a service station, a waste oil collection center or used oil recycling center. For the nearest Used Oil Collection Center call 1-800-CLEANUP or visit www.earth911.org.
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Pool Maintenance
- Pool and spa water must be dechlorinated and be free of excess acid, alkali or color to be allowed in the street, gutter or storm drain.
- Whenever possible, drain dechlorinated pool and spa water directly into the sanitary sewer but only when it is not raining.
- Some cities may have ordinances that do not allow pool water to be disposed into the storm drain. Check with your city.
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Landscape and Gardening
- Do not over-water. Water your lawn and garden by hand to control the amount of water you use or set irrigation systems to reflect seasonal water needs. If water flows off your yard onto your driveway or sidewalk, your system is overwatering. Periodically inspect and fix leaks and misdirected sprinklers.
- Do not rake or blow leaves, clippings or pruning waste into the street, gutter or storm drain. Instead dispose of waste by composting, hauling it to a permitted landfill, or as green waste through your city’s recycling program.
- Follow directions on pesticides and fertilizer, (measure, do not estimate amounts) and do not use if rain is predicted with 48 hours.
- Take unwanted pesticides to a Household Hazardous Waste Collection Center to be recycled. For locations and hours of Household Hazardous Waste Collection Centers call 714-834-6752 or visit www.oclandfills.com.
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Trash
- Place trash and litter that cannot be recycled in securely covered trash cans.
- Whenever possible, buy recycled products.
- Remember: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
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Pet Care
- Always pick up after your pet. Flush waste down the toilet or dispose in the trash. Pet waste, if left outdoors, can wash into the street, gutter or storm drain.
- If possible, bathe your pets indoors. If you must bathe your pet outside, wash it on your lawn or another absorbent/permeable surface to keep the washwater from entering the street, gutter or storm drain.
- Follow directions for use of pet care products and dispose of any unused products at a Household Hazardous Waste Collection Center.
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| Common Pollutants | |
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Home Maintenance
Lawn and Garden
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Automobile
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For More Information
California Environmental Protection Agency
www.calepa.ca.gov
- Air Resources Board
www.arb.ca.gov - Department of Pesticide Regulation
www.cdpr.ca.gov - Department of Toxic Substances Control
www.dtsc.ca.gov - Integrated Waste Management Board
www.ciwmb.ca.gov - Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment
www.oehha.ca.gov - State Water Resources Control Board
www.waterboards.ca.gov
Earth 911 – community-specific environmental information
1-800-cleanup or visit www.earth911.org
Health Care Agency’s Ocean and Bay Water Closure and Posting Hotline
714-433-6400 or visit www.ocbeachinfo.com
Integrated Waste Management/Dept. of Orange County
information on household hazardous waste collection centers, recycling centers, and solid waste collection
714-834-6752 or visit www.oclandfills.com
O.C. Agriculture Commissioner
714-447-7100 or visit www.ocagcomm.com
Stormwater Best Management Practice Handbook
Visit www.cabmphandbooks.com
UC Master Gardener Hotline
714-708-1646 or visit www.uccemg.com
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The Orange County Stormwater Program has created and moderates an electronic mailing list to facilitate communications, take questions and exchange ideas among its users about issues and topics related to stormwater and urban runoff and the implementation of program elements. To join the list, please send an email to ocstormwaterinfo-join@list.ocwatersheds.com
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Orange County Stormwater Program
| Aliso Viejo | (949) 425-2535 |
| Anaheim Public Works Operations | (714) 765-6860 |
| Brea Engineering | (714) 990-7666 |
| Buena Park Public Works | (714) 562-3655 |
| Costa Mesa Public Services | (714) 754-5323 |
| Cypress Public Works | (714) 229-6740 |
| Dana Point Public Works | (949) 248-3584 |
| Fountain Valley Public Works | (714) 593-4441 |
| Fullerton Engineering Dept | (714) 738-6853 |
| Garden Grove Public Works | (714) 741-5956 |
| Huntington Beach Public Works | (714) 536-5431 |
| Irvine Public Works | (949) 724-6315 |
| La Habra Public Services | (562) 905-9792 |
| La Palma Public Works | (714) 690-3310 |
| Laguna Beach Water Quality | (949) 497-0378 |
| Laguna Hills Public Service | (949) 707-2650 |
| Laguna Niguel Public Works | (949) 362-4337 |
| Laguna Woods Public Works | (949) 639-0500 |
| Lake Forest Public Works | (949) 461-3480 |
| Los Alamitos Community Dev | (562) 431-3538 |
| Mission Viejo Public Works | (949) 470-3056 |
| Newport Beach, Code & Water Quality Enforcement | (949) 644-3215 |
| Orange Public Works | (714) 532-6480 |
| Placentia Public Works | (714) 993-8245 |
| Rancho Santa Margarita | (949) 635-1800 |
| San Clemente Environmental Programs | (949) 361-6143 |
| San Juan Capistrano Engineering | (949) 234-4413 |
| Santa Ana Public Works | (714) 647-3380 |
| Seal Beach Engineering | (562) 431-2527 x317 |
| Stanton Public Works | (714) 379-9222 x204 |
| Tustin Public Works Engineering | (714) 573-3150 |
| Villa Park Engineering | (714) 998-1500 |
| Westminster Public Works Engineering | (714) 898-3311 x446 |
| Yorba Linda Engineering | (714) 961-7138 |
| Orange County Stormwater Program | (714) 567-6363 |
Orange County 24-Hour Water Pollution Problem Reporting Hotline
(714) 567-6363
On-line Water Pollution Problem Reporting form
www.ocwatersheds.com/WQHotline/wqh_introduction.asp
