Why is it bad for water quality?

Unvegetated hillsides, unstable slopes, improperly maintained drains, and over-irrigation from home gardens causes soil erosion problems, another problematic contaminate of storm water that must be controlled. Too much sediment or dirt in our waterbodies chokes aquatic life by creating murky conditions, fills natural drainage areas, and alters the topography of the land. Poorly maintained drains can also cause extensive property damage, e.g. collapsing hillsides, flooding, and potential sinkholes.

What can we do to reduce or prevent storm water pollution and/or property damage?

There are many simple things we can do to prevent storm water pollution and help protect the water quality of our local waterbodies, although the number of pollutants might seem overwhelming. By incorporating simple, daily changes in our routine or activities, preventing storm water pollution will not seem like such a dramatic change to our lifestyle.

Exposed dirt piles on streets and sidewalks are illegal. If you must temporarily remove soil, make sure to leave it in a contained, covered area where it cannot be tracked all over the street.

Vegetate slopes that are exposed. The roots from plants bind loose soil particles and prevent erosion during irrigation, rain storms, wind storms or even the force of gravity.

If any dirt is left on the sidewalks or streets after a project, sweep the dirt and dispose of it either back in your yard, or for large projects, have a company listed in the Yellow Pages come to haul the dirt away for you.

If you see dirt coming off the property of large construction sites, immediately notify the Clean Water Program at 760-435-5800 and we will have an inspector on the site as soon as possible.

Regularly maintain the drains on your property to ensure proper flow. Clear any debris that might be clogging your drains. Examples of drains include area drains from your yard leading to the gutter, or concrete “V” or brow ditches commonly seen on steeply sloped hillsides. Property damage caused by poorly functioning drainage on private property is not the responsibility of the City.

What do the laws say about sediments?

It is illegal to leave piles of dirt exposed, let dirt run into the streets and storm drains, or have clogged drainage on your property.