San Bernardino County Stormwater Pollution Prevention

Home improvement:

Paints, solvents, adhesives and other toxic substances used in home improvement projects and remodeling often make their way into the San Bernardino County storm drain system and do not get treated before reaching the Santa Ana River. This pollutes our drinking water and contaminates waterways, making them unsafe for people and wildlife. Follow these simple tips to prevent pollution and protect your health.

Painting:

Use water-based paints whenever possible. They are less toxic than oil-based paints and easier to clean up. Look for products labeled “latex” or “cleans with water.”
Never clean brushes or rinse paint containers in the street, gutter or near a storm drain. Clean water-based paints in the sink, and oil-based paints with thinner, which can be reused by putting it in a jar to settle out the paint particles and then pouring off the clear liquid for future use.
Wrap dried paint residue in newspaper and dispose of it in the trash.
When stripping or cleaning building exteriors with high-pressure water, block nearby storm drains and divert wash water onto a designated dirt area. Ask your local wastewater treatment authority if you can collect building cleaning water and discharge it to the sewer.
Paint stripping residue, chips and dust from marine paints and paints containing lead or tributyl tin are hazardous waste. Sweep them up instead of hosing into the street and dispose of them safely at a household hazardous waste collection facility. Call (800) CLEANUP for the facility in your area.
Recycle leftover paint at a household hazardous waste collection facility, save it for touch ups or give it to someone who can use it, like a theatre group, school, city or community organization.

For more information about construction projects, view or download these Acrobat files:

Home Repair Fact Sheet

Construction Fact Sheet

Construction projects:

Keep construction debris away from the street, gutter and storm drains.
Schedule grading and excavation projects for dry weather.
Cover excavated material and stockpiles of soil, sand or gravel, protected from rain, wind and runoff.
Sweep or scoop up cement washout or concrete dust instead of hosing into driveways, streets, gutters or storm drains.
Prevent erosion by planting fast-growing annual and perennial grass, which can shield and bind soil.
Cleaners, solvents and other toxic home improvement products are too dangerous to dump in the garbage. Recycle them at a household hazardous waste collection facility. Call (800) CLEANUP for the facility in your area.

For more information about pesticides and fertilizers, view or download these Acrobat files:

Home & Garden Fact Sheet

Fertilizer Tip Card

Pesticide Tip Card

Lawncare and gardening:

Keeping lawns and gardens looking good isn’t always good for our environment. Sprinkler runoff carries pesticides and fertilizers into the storm drain system. Grass clippings, leaves and other yard waste gets swept or blown into the street, clogging catch basins and polluting waterways. Following a few green tips is all it takes to prevent storm water pollution.

Pesticides and fertilizers:

Read the product label and follow the directions, using only as directed.
Avoid applying near driveways or gutters.
Never apply fertilizer or pesticide before a rain.
Store fertilizers, pesticides and other toxic garden chemicals in a covered area and in sealed, waterproof containers. Take unwanted lawn or garden chemicals to a household hazardous waste collection facility. Call (800) CLEANUP.
Use non-toxic products for your garden and lawn whenever possible.

For more information about yard waste and wise water use, view or download this Acrobat file:

Home & Garden Fact Sheet

Yard waste:

Recycle leaves, grass clippings and other yard waste, instead of blowing, sweeping or hosing them into the street or gutter.
Try grasscycling, leaving grass clippings on your lawn instead of using a grass catcher. The clippings act as a natural fertilizer and because grass is mostly water, it also irrigates your lawn, conserving water.

Wise water use:

Cut your water costs and prevent runoff by controlling the amount of water and direction of sprinklers. Periodically inspect and fix leaks and misdirected sprinklers.
The average lawn needs about an inch of water a week, including rainfall, or 10 to 20 minutes of watering. A half-inch per week is enough for fall and spring.
Water your lawn early in the morning so water has time to soak into the soil before the heat of the sun causes evaporation. Sprinklers should be left on long enough to allow water to soak into the ground but not so long to cause runoff.
Using drip irrigation, soaker hoses or micro-spray systems for flower beds and vegetation can also help reduce your water bill and prevent runoff.
Save on water by planting low maintenance, drought-tolerant trees and shrubs.
For more green tips, call the San Bernardino Master Gardeners at (909) 387-2182.

For more information about automotive maintenance, view or download these Acrobat files:

Auto Repair Fact Sheet

Auto Repair Poster

Automotive maintenance:

Oil, grease, anti-freeze and other toxic automotive fluids often make their way into the San Bernardino County storm drain system, and do not get treated before reaching the Santa Ana River. This pollutes our drinking water and contaminates waterways, making them unsafe for people and wildlife. But following these best management practices can prevent pollution and protect public health.

Changing your oil and oil filter:

Have your oil changed by a professional. If you do it yourself, recycle your used oil and oil filter at a certified collection center or household hazardous waste site. Clean any leaks and spills with an absorbent material like kitty litter.
Buy recycled motor oil for your car. Concerned about quality or performance? Mercedes Benz, known for its standards of quality and engineering, uses recycled motor oil in all their new vehicles.

Draining your radiator:

Anti-freeze, made from the chemical ethylene glycol, is extremely toxic. Drain your radiator into a drip pan to avoid spills, and take the old anti-freeze in a sealed container to a household hazardous waste collection site.
Try less toxic alternatives to conventional anti-freeze. Anti-freeze made from propylene glycol, manufacturers claim, has a lower freezing point, a higher boiling point and lasts longer.

Washing your car:

Wash your vehicle at a car wash that reclaims wash water, preventing oil, grease and toxic fluids from washing into the street and the storm drain system.
Use soaps, cleaners and detergents that are labeled phosphate free or biodegradable. The safest products for the environment are vegetable based or citrus-based soaps.
If you wash your car at home, choose a place where the wash water can soak into grass, gravel or be diverted to nearby landscaping, away from the street and storm drains.

For more information for dog owners, view or download these Acrobat files:

Dog Poop Tip Card

Dog Poop Bill Insert

Dog and livestock owners:

When it rains, dog and other animal waste left on lawns, sidewalks and in the street can wash into storm drains and flow untreated directly into our local waterways. The bacteria and risk of disease threatens the health of our kids and communities. Follow these easy steps to be a responsible pet owner and help protect your family’s health.

Pick up after your pet

Nearly one-third of San Bernardino County residents own a dog, and a lot of dog waste gets left on sidewalks and streets. More than just a nuisance, it can spread disease and threaten public health. But preventing this pollution is as easy as 1-2-3:

Bring a bag
Clean it up
Dispose of it properly, in the toilet or trash

Washing pets

If possible, bathe your pets indoors, using less toxic shampoos, or have your pet professionally groomed. Pet shampoos and soaps, even those that are biodegradable, can be toxic to people and marine life.

Flea control

Consider using alternatives such as oral or topical flea control products. If you use flea control products such as shampoos, sprays or collars, make sure to dispose of unused quantities properly.

Horse and livestock activities

When conducting horse and livestock activities such as building a corral, feeding livestock or cleaning and grooming horses, follow these simple tips to prevent discharges from entering storm drains.

Facilities design

Site barns, corrals and other high-use areas on the portions of the property that drain away from the nearest creek or storm drain.
Restrict animal access to creeks and streams, preferably by fencing.
Protect manure storage facilities from rainfall and surface runoff.
Install gutters that will divert runoff away from livestock areas.

Pasture management

Confine animals in properly fenced areas, except during exercise and grazing.
Animal areas should be swept or shoveled at least once a day, and not hosed down to a stream or storm drain.

Grazing management

During heavy rainfall, consider indoor feeding, a practice which keeps more manure under a roof and away from runoff.

Collection and storage

Store animal waste in a sturdy, seepage-free unit.
Line waste pits or trenches with an impermeable layer.

Use and disposal

Compost soiled bedding and manure.
Give away composted material to local greenhouses, nurseries and botanical parks.
Transport manure to topsoil companies or composting centers.

Grooming

Use less toxic alternatives such as bacterial insecticides, diatomaceous earth insecticidal soaps, boric acid powder, horticultural oils and pyrethin-based insecticides.
When washing livestock, allow wash water to seep into the ground or conduct in an area that is routed to the sanitary sewer.