Storm Water
Management Program
Storm Drain Pollution and You
Types
Of Pollution | What You Can Do
 Even if you live
miles from the Sanctuary, you may be contributing harmful pollutants to coastal waters.
Urban runoff is caused by chemicals and other materials that are poured or washed down
storm drains. Unlike household sewer systems, storm drain pollution is NOT cleansed by
sewage treatment plants - it flows directly through storm drains and out into Sanctuary
waters untreated. You, your friends and family all depend on healthy waterways and oceans.
Remember this when you go to the beach, surf, swim in the ocean, go fishing, and eat local
sea food.
Remember to 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.
Types Of Pollution
- Motor oil,
pesticides, animal waste,
automotive fluids,
fertilizers,
chemicals, and litter, all make their way into oceans every day.
- One quart of motor oil dumped down a storm drain can
contaminate 250,000 gallons of water. Oil from one engine (4-6) quarts can cause an 8 acre
slick. Every year 350 million gallons of used motor oil is discarded in storm drains,
waterways, and soil. This is 30 times greater than the Exxon Valdez oil spill!
- Some wildlife get their water from polluted storm drains.
Animals not only get sick from the water, but oil and gasoline stick to feathers and fur.
When this happens, feathers and fur lose the ability to provide warmth for the animal.
What You Can Do
- Recycle
It takes 42 gallons of crude oil to make two and a half quarts of lubricating oil. The
same two and a half quarts can be produced with half as much energy from only one gallon
of recycled oil. Take used motor oil and antifreeze to a gas station or hazardous waste
site that recycles these products. Call the Recycling Hotline: Monterey County
831.384.5313, Santa Cruz County 831.454.2606.
Recycle plastic, aluminum, and paper. Trash poses a threat to marine animals as they try
to eat it or get trapped or tangled in the debris.
- Reuse
Rinse paint brushes in the sink. Filter and reuse paint thinner or brush cleaners. Dispose
of used paint and thinners at a hazardous waste site.
- Reduce
Use pesticides (look for nontoxic alternatives whenever possible) and fertilizers
carefully and sparingly. Do not use if rain is forecast. Dispose of animal waste in
garbage cans or toilets, not in storm drains. Wash cars with biodegradable, phosphate free
detergent.
- Get Involved
Storm Drain Stenciling is a great way to spend a few hours of your day. You can volunteer
to paint the warning "No Dumping - Flows to Bay" on catch basins in your
neighborhood or elsewhere in the City by contacting the Public Works Department,
Stormwater Program at 831.646.3920.
Water Quality Monitoring is currently done during the dry weather season from June through
November at various sampling locations throughout the City. This volunteer program
requires a 6 month commitment of about 4 hours every month to take samples and test them
for a variety of pollutants.
Business Outreach is a new program which is being created. Volunteers will meet with
owners and managers of various types of businesses in town to interview them and get an
idea of their stormwater awareness. Volunteers will educate the business community and
distribute educational materials. The information obtained from interviews with the
business community will be used to create a "Clean and Green" Business Seal
program to certify businesses who use stormwater friendly practices.
Return to top
To volunteer for any of these programs or for more
information please contact the Public Works Department Stormwater Program at 831.646.3920
or by e-mail.
For more information on urban runoff call the
Monterey
Bay National Marine Sanctuary 831.647.4201.
Materials and graphics courtesy of City of Los Angeles' Stormwater Program.
Graphics designed by Oscar Amaro. |
