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Over the last thirty years, water quality of our major American creeks and rivers has improved thanks to the creation of the Federal Clean Water Act. However, because our population and economy is expanding, the need for more neighborhoods, businesses, streets and other potentially polluting areas increase. Storm water or urban runoff, or the water that comes from rain, irrigation runoff, swimming pool discharges, car washing, or other activities, is the leading cause of beach closures and water-quality impairment in the San Diego Region. Because Oceanside is a coastal city, we rely on clean water, particularly clean beaches, to support our economy and ensure people’s safety when swimming, surfing or playing in the water.
What causes water pollution?
When we construct new buildings, homes, streets, parking lots or other hard surfaces, we decrease the amount of land that can absorb rainwater and increase the amount of surfaces that are impervious, or cannot absorb liquids. Therefore, storm water runs off these impervious surfaces and flows into storm drains, or the holes in the gutters that carry rainwater away from our streets to prevent flooding. Storm drains divert runoff to the nearest waterbody (creek, river, lake or ocean). Unfortunately, storm drains do not filter storm water, so all the pollutants on our streets, and carried in runoff, end up in these waterbodies.
There are a variety of pollutants that contaminate storm water.
This is a snapshot of the inside of a storm drain, before it was cleaned.
Pollutant Factsheets
The leaf litter, trash, sediments and chemicals listed above are just a few of the many pollutants that contaminate storm water. For more information about storm water pollutants and ways you can help prevent or reduce these pollutants, click on the links below.
Brochures
The City of Oceanside has activity-specific brochures available for residents who would like a handy reference guide to preventing storm water pollution.
Clean Water Program Newsletters
The Oceanside Clean Water Program publishes a bi-annual newsletter so residents can be kept up-to-date of the latest information pertaining to water quality in Oceanside. Provided for your convenience is a copy of all published newsletters.
January 2003  (143 KB)
June 2003 (146 KB)
January 2004 (1.5 MB)
July 2004 (2.9 MB)
January 2005 (2.7 MB)
September 2005 (661 KB)
April 2007 (1.7 MB)
Public Awareness Surveys
The City of Oceanside, along with the Cities of Carlsbad, Encinitas, Escondido, San Marcos, Vista, and the County of San Diego, conducted a telephone survey of North County residents to measure watershed and urban runoff awareness. Results of the survey is available for your viewing.
Survey Results (1.4 MB)
Requirements Manual
Also available is the City of Oceansides Residential Urban Runoff Requirements Manual (244 KB). This manual is part of the City of Oceanside’s Juridictional Urban Runoff Management Plan for reducing and preventing storm water pollution and improving the water quality of our waterbodies. Listed you will find information about prohibited discharges to the storm drain systems, and mandatory and optional tips for complying with Federal, State, County and Municipal laws regarding storm water.
KOCT Television Presentations
The City of Oceanside presents monthly public service announcements to educate Oceanside residents on timely storm water pollution issues. Provided for your convenience is additional information regarding the presentations.
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