Stormwater Pollution Prevention

Stormwater Pollution & Urban Runoff

Urban runoff is any water flowing on urban surfaces. This includes flows from storms, as well as flows in dry weather from sources such as over-irrigation and car washing. When urban runoff flows over paved areas like streets, parking lots, and roofs, it collects and carries pollutants on the ground such as litter, pet waste, pesticides, fertilizers, and motor oil. This "toxic soup" is called urban runoff pollution, and when it is caused by rain, we call it stormwater pollution.

Stormwater pollution flows through underground storm drain pipes and flood control channels into our local waterways and the ocean. In West Covina our local waterways are the San Gabriel River and five of its tributaries: Walnut Creek, San Jose Creek, Puente Creek, San Jose Creek, and Big Dalton Wash. The San Gabriel flows to the ocean at the San Pedro Bay, between Long Beach and Seal Beach. To protect our waterways, we must prevent and control stormwater pollution.

Effects of Stormwater Pollution

Stormwater pollution poses a health threat to aquatic life, as well as to people who recreate in waterways and the ocean. Common stormwater pollutants include bacteria, toxic chemicals, and trash. After a rain event, high levels of bacteria in waterways and the ocean can make people sick and result in beach closures. This impacts swimming, beach tourism, fishing, and boating. Some pollutants such as pesticides and heavy metals can be toxic to marine life. Plastic trash may also degrade and accumulate toxic chemicals. Aquatic life ingest these toxic chemicals and pass them along the food chain. This can result in the contamination of locally caught seafood, making it unsafe for consumption. Trash can also suffocate, entangle, and starve aquatic life.

Protecting Our Waterways From Stormwater Pollution

Follow these steps:

  1. Do not dump waste or discharge wastewater into the storm drain system: It is a violation of state regulation and Municipal Code Chapter 9 Article II. Outside of pure stormwater, most discharges to the storm drains are wastewater. The exceptions include natural flows, emergency firefighting flows, and a few "conditionally" allowed discharges such as pool dewatering and residential vehicle washing. The following is the full list of conditionally allowed discharges, along with the conditions to meet: Conditionally Allowed Discharges to the Storm Drains (PDF).
  2. Report spills and illicit discharges of wastewater: To report a spill or an illicit discharge of wastewater, please contact the Los Angeles County 24-Hour Water Pollution Reporting Hotline at 1-888-CLEAN-LA (888-253-2652). For emergencies call 911.
  3. Follow practices to prevent or control pollution during storm events: The practice to follow depends on the source of pollution. The following are practices for residents, students, land developers, and businesses:

Should you need assistance complying with the City’s stormwater pollution prevention program, please call the Public Services Department at 626-919-6966.

How the City Protects Our Waterways from Stormwater Pollution

The City runs a number of stormwater pollution prevention programs. This includes:

  • Removing pollutants through services such as street sweeping, storm drain cleaning, and litter pick-up
  • Leading or partnering in the construction of projects that capture and treat polluted urban runoff
  • Installing trash capture screens over public storm drain inlets
  • Ensuring certain land development projects capture or treat polluted stormwater
  • Ensuring businesses and construction sites implement pollution prevention practices
  • Investigating and resolving complaints of polluted discharges
  • Educating the public in pollution prevention and encouraging their participation
  • Cooperating and sharing costs with neighboring agencies for water quality monitoring, compliance reporting, and project planning

To see the implementation status of both regional and local stormwater pollution prevention projects and programs, visit the County's reporting module. The City pays for these projects and programs through a combination of fees, the City's General Fund, and the Safe Clean Water Program (Measure W).

The Safe, Clean Water Program

Best Practices to Protect Our Waterways

The Safe, Clean Water (SCW) Program-also known as Measure W-provides local, dedicated funding to increase our local water supply, improve water quality, and protect public health. The funding comes from a special parcel tax of 2.5 cents per square foot of impermeable surface area on properties within the LA County Flood Control District (District). The Program is divided into a District Program, a Regional Program, and a Municipal Program.

If you are curious how the money is being spent, visit the District's website at Safe Clean Water LA. To see how the City is spending its SCW Municipal Program funds, view the City's Annual Plans and Reports at the Safe Clean Water LA Municipalities. The City uses these funds in part to implement its Stormwater Pollution Prevention Program.

The City has flexibility on the types of projects and programs it funds under the SCW Municipal Program. Please contact the Public Services Department at 626-919-6966 to share your thoughts how to spend these funds.