Households - How You Can Help
Protecting our local waterways is something everybody can be involved in. The most important part of maintaining clean creeks, rivers, reservoirs and bays, is to assure that only clean water be allowed to flow from your property and into storm drains. Remember: the water from storm drains flow directly into local water bodies with no filtration or treatment. Pesticides, wash water, sewage, automotive fluids, paint, construction materials, sediment, and food wastes that go down the storm drain are entering the nearest natural creek or stream.
You can help protect our creeks, rivers and bays by following these common sense practices:
- Do not dump anything into the storm drain, gutter or drainage ditch: Only Rain Down the Drain!
- Get your car washed at commercial car wash instead of at home
- Clean up outdoor spills of chemicals or paint with mops and absorbents
- Dispose of your car oil properly
- Eliminate irrigation runoff from your landscaping by properly maintaining your irrigation system and reducing your garden watering
- Don't spray pesticides or herbicides before a rainfall
- Consider environmentally friendly landscaping and pervious pavement
- Make an appointment to drop off your Hazardous Household Waste through the County's program
- Maintain your Septic System
- Clean up after your pet, do not leave pet waste on the ground.
Educational Resources
- Draining Pools and Spas
Keep pool, spa and fountain water out of storm drains, creeks, and the Bay.
- Clean Cars & Clean Creeks
How to keep car wash pollution How to keep car wash pollution out of local creeks and the Bay! out of local creeks and the Bay!
- Safer House-Cleaning Methods
You don't need harsh chemical cleaning products to clean your home. Common household products like baking soda and vinegar are good all-purpose cleaners.
- How Trash Gets Into Our Creeks
Provided by SCVURPPP
Quick Links
- Stay Informed
- Santa Clara County Consumer & Environmental Protection Agency (CEPA)
- Santa Clara Valley Urban Runoff Pollution Prevention Program (SCVURPPP)
- Blueprint for a Clean Bay
- Watershed Watch
- South County Perchlorate Cleanup Info
- CEPA Facebook Page
- Santa Clara Valley Water District - Access Valley Water
- Public Records Request