Water Quality Improvement Efforts

To report pollution to storm drains, streets, or creeks, call: (805) 897-2688

Urban runoff comes from a number of common residential and commercial activities such as runoff from landscape irrigation, street car washing, and parking lot and sidewalk washing.

Storm water (rain) and urban runoff pick up pollutants like soil/sediment, pet waste, trash, oil and other auto fluids, and more, and carry them into storm drains, which flow to creeks and the ocean untreated.

Ongoing programs such as creek cleanups, water quality enforcement, and street sweeping, along with larger water quality improvement projects are a few ways in which the Creeks Division aims to improve local creek and ocean water quality.

Water Quality Improvement Projects

MacKenzie Parking Lot Stormwater Infiltration Project (Completed in 2011)

Catch Basin Debris Screens (Completed in 2011)

Upper Las Positas Creek Restoration and Storm Water Management Project (Completed in 2010)

Adams Elementary School Bioswale
(Completed in 2010)

Westside Summer Urban Runoff Facility “SURF”
(Completed in 2006)

Hope Avenue and Haley Street Low Flow Diversions
(Completed in 2006)

Ongoing Water Quality Improvement Programs

Water Quality Monitoring

Research, Studies, and Special Programs

Water Quality Enforcement Program & Hotline

Creek Clean-Ups

“Clean Sweep” Street Sweeping Program

Projects in Development

Laguna Channel Disinfection:  The Creeks Division is studying the Laguna Watershed to determine the best treatment project(s) for improving water quality before it reaches the lagoon and East Beach.

Click here to view the Final Report on the Laguna Watershed Study and Water Quality Feasibility Analysis.

Old Mission Creek at West Figueroa:  The Creeks Division is working on the design of a project that will use detention and biofiltration to improve water quality in Old Mission Creek during rain events.

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