Storm Water Management Program
The City of Santa Barbara’s Storm Water Management Program (SWMP) has been approved by the Central Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB). The City has complied with past drafts of the SWMP since 2006; however, formal implementation began in January 2009. The SWMP is a citywide, interdepartmental program that is coordinated and administered by the Creeks Division.

To view the City’s SWMP (2009), click here.

Appendix A – Notice of Intent
Appendix B – Figures
Appendix C – Community Events, Community Outreach, Youth Education, Business Outreach
Appendix D – Relevant Sections of the Santa Barbara Municipal Code
Appendix E – Relevant Land Development Guidelines and Policies
Appendix F – Relevant Construction Site Runoff Policies
Appendix G – Other City Programs that Address Water Quality Issues


Storm Water Best Management Practices (BMP) Guidance Manual
Storm Water BMP Guidance Manual (June 2008)

Storm Water BMP Guidance Manual Training (Video - June 25, 2009)
     Power Point Presentation
     Presentation Handout

A Homeowner’s Guide to Managing Storm Water
Guía para el dueño de casa para administrar el agua de tormenta


Coordination with other City departments
The Creeks Division meets regularly with all City departments who are responsible for implementing Best Management Practices (BMPs) and/or who have been assigned specific actions in the SWMP to improve or protect water quality. These meetings raise awareness of SWMP requirements and storm water management, confirm SWMP responsibilities, and prepare for reporting on an annual basis. The Creeks Division collects quarterly reports from City staff and compiles the SWMP’s Annual Report for submittal to the Water Board each year.
 
Education/Outreach
In addition to many ongoing education and outreach programs, the Creeks Division developed enforcement “response cards” for tracking and assessing the Division’s response to polluted runoff reports. The response card offers residents who call the Creeks Division (897-2688) to report illegal discharges the chance to comment on the response conducted. It is a useful tool for the Creeks Division to continually assess and improve the enforcement program.

Illicit Discharge Elimination
Much work has been conducted on BMPs related to illicit discharge elimination.  These include conducting a review of existing storm water ordinances in other cities and conducting an internal audit of the City’s existing ordinances and policies to identify conflicts with water quality regulations and goals; compiling an inventory of parking lots within the City that are 5,000 square feet or greater (or space for 25 or more cars) to define where the sources for substantial parking lot discharges are located; developing recommendations for sidewalk washing management alternatives; and updating the “Clean Creeks Certified Business Program” annually for Automotive, Restaurant, and Mobile Washing businesses. This program is designed to work with automotive, restaurant, and mobile washing business owners and managers to review management practices that reduce surface run-off pollution, as well as help businesses comply with water quality regulations. In 2009, the City Creeks Division also implemented the Business Assistance Program, which is a small grant program specifically for businesses who are certified or become certified. Through the Business Assistance Program, the Creeks Division can purchase specific products for certified businesses that protect water quality by helping to contain and properly manage pollutants before they enter the storm drain system. Product examples include wet/dry vacuums, secondary containment devices, wash water dikes/berms for containment, storm drain covers, etc.

Construction Site Runoff Control
The SWMP highlights the implementation of ongoing BMP inspections throughout the course of project construction. Creeks Division staff has met with Building and Safety Division inspectors to ensure that construction projects subject to the City’s Erosion and Sedimentation Control Policy are tracked and reviewed for BMP compliance.  Over the next year, policy effectiveness and ordinance needs will be evaluated.

Post-construction Runoff Control
The Creeks Division has been working with the Planning and Engineering Divisions to specifically include the NPDES regulations in the City’s Standard Conditions of Approval for development projects that are subject to discretionary review. In June 2008, the Creeks Division produced the Storm Water BMP Guidance Manual, which directs residents and the design community how to comply with SWMP regulations by designing development and redevelopment projects with permanent storm water BMP designs.

Good Housekeeping
The Creeks Division conducts a comprehensive training program on an annual basis, focused on BMPs relative to each department’s daily “housekeeping” activities. All “operational staff” (any staff who do hands-on, outdoor work) are required to attend. 13 Divisions are included in the trainings, which are approximately 45 minutes long and are a combination of Power Point presentations, videos, and a question/answer session.

For more information on the City of Santa Barbara’s Storm Water Management Program, contact Cameron Benson at (805) 897-2508 or Autumn Malanca at (805) 897-1910.

We welcome your comments and suggestions. Send messages and inquiries to Liz Smith.