Painting and Paint Cleanup | General Construction | Landscaping/Foundation Work
Concrete, Masonry, & Tile Work | Waste Disposal Options
Cleaning up spills if they do happen

Clean up all spills when they happen. If building materials or other wastes get into a gutter, storm drain, or creek call the Public Works Department immediately. Mon. - Fri. 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. call 831.646.3920 for other hours call the 24-hour emergency service at 831.646.3914.

All paints, solvents, and adhesives contain chemicals that are harmful to aquatic animals and other wildlife in our creeks and Bay. Toxic chemicals may come from liquid or solid products or from cleaning residues on rags. It is especially important not to clean brushes or painting equipment (buckets, pans, hoses, etc.) in an area where paint or paint cleanup water can flow to a gutter, street, or storm drain. Click here for more information.

• Keep all construction debris away from the street, gutter, and storm drain.
• During cleanup, check the street and gutters for refuse or debris. Look around the corner or downstream for material that may have already traveled away from your property.
• If you or your contractor keep a dumpster at your site, be sure it is securely covered with a lid or tarp when not in use.
• Paint the inside of galvanized rain gutters to reduce corrosion.

Landscaping/Foundation Work

• Intensive gardening, landscaping, and all excavation projects such as foundation repair or pool construction expose soils and increase the likelihood that garden chemicals and earth will wash into the storm drains. Be careful to control erosion and minimize runoff to all driveways, gutters, and storm drains.
• Dispose of unused pesticides as hazardous waste.
• Cover excavated material and stockpiles of asphalt, sand, etc. with plastic tarps during the rainy season.
• Replant as soon as possible, with temporary vegetation such as annual grass seed if necessary. Revegetation provides excellent erosion control.
• Take care not to over-apply pesticides, and use up leftover supply. Rinse empty containers, and use rinse-water as you would use the product. Dispose of empty rinsed containers in the trash.
• Collect lawn and garden clippings, pruning waste and tree trimmings. Many cities and landfills have yard waste composting programs. Check with your local recycling program.
• Do not blow or rake leaves, etc. into the street, or place yard waste in gutters or on dirt shoulders.
• In unincorporated areas and communities with curbside yard waste recycling, leave clippings and pruning waste for pickup in approved bags or containers.
• For more information, click here.

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Concrete, Masonry, & Tile Work

• Don’t mix up more fresh concrete or cement than you will use in a day.
• Cover and protect bags of cement and paste after they are open. Be sure to keep wind-blown cement powder away from gutters, storm drains, rainfall, and runoff.
• Wash down exposed aggregate concrete only when wash water can flow onto a direct area, or be collected, pumped, and disposed of properly. Make sure runoff does not reach gutters or storm drains.
• Never wash excess material from bricklaying or patio or driveway construction into a street or storm drain. Empty mixing container onto a dirt area, or allow material to dry and put in trash.
• Collect and reuse excess abrasive gravel and sand.
• When rinsing tools used for concrete and plaster work make sure the runoff goes to a drain hooked up to the sewer (inside drains) and not to a storm drain.
• Replant as soon as possible, with temporary vegetation such as annual grass seed if necessary. Revegetation provides excellent erosion control.
• Take care not to over-apply pesticides, and use up leftover supply. Rinse empty containers, and use rinse-water as you would use the product. Dispose of empty rinsed containers in the trash.
• Collect lawn and garden clippings, pruning waste and tree trimmings. Many cities and landfills have yard waste composting programs. Check with your local recycling program.
• Do not blow or rake leaves, etc. into the street, or place yard waste in gutters or on dirt shoulders.
• In unincorporated areas and communities with curbside yard waste recycling, leave clippings and pruning waste for pickup in approved bags or containers.

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Waste Disposal: What Goes Where?

Recycle

• Plant material/tree branches, leaves, etc.
• Wood, broken asphalt, and concrete (check with your local landfill)
• Water-based paints (in some communities)
• Used motor oil (curbside and drop-off)

Take to a household hazardous waste drop-off event

• Unused garden and household chemicals
• Leftover paint
• Used solvents
• Paint stripping residue and rags
• Used antifreeze

Dispose as trash

• Construction debris from small projects
• Dry, empty paint cans, spent brushes, rags, and drop cloths
• Small amounts of dry mortar, grout, etc.