Urban Runoff Management / Water Quality Program

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Urban Runoff Management / Water Quality Program

INDEX

INTRODUCTION

NEW! Water Quality Management Plan (WQMP) and Technical Guidelines

Mission Statement and Goals

Includes links to the City’s Storm Water Local Implementation Plan.

PREVENTION INFO
IMPORTANT urban runoff pollution prevention information YOU SHOULD KNOW!

WATER DISCHARGES Information about water discharges that are allowable and discharges that are illegal.

BMPs
Best Management Practices (BMP’s) to reduce urban runoff pollutants.

OCEAN CLOSURES
Ocean postings, closures, and advisory notices.

FAQs
Frequently asked questions about ocean closures and bacteria testing.

MORE FAQs
Urban runoff frequently asked questions.

LINKS
Important urban runoff water quality website links.

SDRWQCB PERMIT
City Urban Runoff Permit approved by the San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board.

WATER QUALITY CODE
Urban runoff water quality Municipal Code.

URBAN RUNOFF MANAGEMENT FEE

Information about the fee to fund the City’s urban runoff management / water quality program.

INTRODUCTION

Urban Runoff Management / Water Quality Program

Mission

The mission of the City’s Urban Runoff Management / Water Quality Program is to protect and preserve the community public health and the environment through implementation of activities to reduce and eliminate urban runoff pollution from industrial, commercial, new development / construction, and residential areas that may enter the storm drainage system.

Goals

· Provide continuous pollution prevention public education and outreach to develop community awareness and environmental stewardship.

· Protect and preserve streams, ocean, shoreline/beaches, and reef ecosystems from pollutants.

· Provide Best Management Practices (BMPs) to the community on ways to reduce the amount of urban runoff pollution from various activities.

· Achieve and maintain compliance with the storm water / urban runoff permit issued by the San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board.

· Implement a cost effective program that is sustainable.

· Enforce urban runoff water regulations and the municipal code.

REPORTING HOTLINE NUMBER

To report urban runoff water quality problems, call the City Utilities Division at (949) 366-1553. This number is monitored 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.

For situations that pose an immediate and significant threat to human life or property, dial 9-1-1.

For information on the Urban Runoff Management / Water Quality Program or questions please contact:

· Brandi Outwin – Senior Civil Engineer (949) 361-6187, or email to cleanwater@san-clemente.org

NEW! Water Quality Management Plan (WQMP)

Storm Water Local Implementation Plan (LIP)

The Storm Water Local Implementation Plan (LIP) is the City’s local plan for implementing a variety of activities to comply with storm water permit requirements. The LIP is based on model programs and guidance developed jointly by the County of Orange and Orange County cities. Due to its size, the City’s LIP is provided in sections via the links below. The files are in Adobe Acrobat (PDF) format.

· Executive Summary/Table of Contents (1.2MB)

· Section 1 – Introduction (1.7 MB)

· Section 2 – Program Management (0.5 MB)

· Section 3 – Plan Development (0.2 MB)

· Section 4 – Legal Authority (1.4 MB)

· Section 5 – Municipal Activities (5.6 MB)

· Section 6 – Public Education (0.3 MB)

· Section 7 – New Development/Significant Redevelopment (7.4 MB)

· Section 8 – Construction (15.7 MB)

· Section 9 – Existing Development (5.6 MB)

· Section 10 – Illicit Connections/Illegal Discharges (0.6 MB)

· Section 11 – Water Quality Monitoring (0.5 MB)

· Section 12 – Watershed Chapters NOTE: This section will be developed in the future according to permit timeline and content requirements.

The Storm Water Local Implementation Plan may be revised as needed to reflect changing conditions, requirements etc. If you have any comments or suggestions, please send them to cleanwater@san-clemente.org

Urban Runoff Management Plan (URMP)

· Executive Summary (1MB)

· Table of Contents through Chapter 3 (7.6 MB)

· Chapter 4 – Chapter 7 (4.6 MB)

· Appendix A-B (1.3 MB)

· Appendix C-E (5.8 MB)

· Appendix F-J (4.3 MB)

Important Urban Runoff Pollution Prevention Information

THE OCEAN BEGINS AT YOUR FRONT DOOR!

Storm Water & Urban Runoff Pollution (SWURP) And What You Can Do To Stop It

Before you pour anything into the gutter or down the drain, stop and think! Storm Drains go directly into channels and creeks...and through wetlands and bays to the ocean.

Did you know?

Anything we use in our home, car and business like motor oil, paint, pesticides, fertilizers and cleaners can wind up in the street. A little water from rain or a garden hose can carry automotive and household materials through the storm drain polluting bays, wetlands and the ocean. Storm drains are there to drain water off the street-not for disposal of hazardous materials.

Where does it go?

These pollutants flow together on a journey from the storm drain to the flood control channel where it can eventually empty into the ocean. This type of pollution is called Storm Water & Urban Runoff (SWURP) and is a serious threat to the beaches and ocean of Southern California.

What Is Storm Water & Urban Runoff Pollution (SWURP)?

Storm water runoff refers to seasonal rainfall flows. It is very noticeable during a heavy rain storm when large volumes of water drain off paved areas. Urban runoff can happen anytime of the year when excessive water use from irrigation, car washing and other sources carries litter, lawn clippings and other urban pollutants into storm drains. Even an automobile leading motor oil 20 miles inland can still pollute the ocean.

How Is It Different From Other Forms Of Water Pollution?

SWURP can include anything that washes into the storm drain from the community. Unlike water pollution linked to factories or sewage treatment plants, SWURP can come from city streets, neighborhoods, farms, construction sites and parking lots.

Storm Water & Urban Runoff Pollution Comes From:

Automotive leaks and spills. Disposal of used oil and other engine fluids down the storm drain. Metals in vehicle exhaust, paint, rust, metal plating and tires. Pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers from lawns, gardens and farms. Improper disposal of cleaners, paint and paint removers. Soil erosion and dust debris from landscape and construction activities. Litter, lawn clippings, animal waste and other organic matter. Oil stains on parking lots and paved surfaces.

Impact

Storm Water & Urban Runoff Pollution And The Ocean SWURP may have a serious impact on water quality in Orange County . Pollutants from the storm drain system can harm marine life as well as coastal and wetland habitats. It can also degrade recreation areas such as beaches, harbors and bays.

THE OCEAN IS CLOSER THAN YOU THINK.

THERE ARE WAYS TO REDUCE STORM WATER & URBAN RUNOFF POLLUTION (SWURP)

Home Maintenance

· Buy household products such as cleaners and furniture polish labeled "non toxic". Use small quantities and purchase only the amount you need.

· Properly use and store all toxic products, including cleaners, solvents and paints. Use up paint cleaners and other products or share leftovers with a neighbor.

· Take household hazardous materials and containers to a hazardous material collection center.

· Use kitty litter or other absorbent materials to clean spills. Depending on the substance, dispose absorbents in the trash can or at a hazardous materials collection center.

· Rinse water based paint brushes in the sink. Filter and reuse paint thinner or brush cleaners. Dispose of used thinner, oil and latex paint at a hazardous materials collection center.

· Recycle reusable materials. Throw litter into trash cans and keep cans tightly covered to prevent foraging by animals.

· Control erosion at construction and landscape sites to prevent dirt and debris from entering storm drains.

Lawn and Garden

· Use pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers in accordance with label instructions. Do not apply before rain and dispose leftovers at a hazardous materials collection center.

· Use a broom rather than a hose to clean up garden clippings. Put leaves and clippings in a trash can or a compost pile.

· Pick up animal waste and dispose in the trash can.

Automotive

· Take used motor oil and antifreeze to gas stations that accept recyclable automotive fluids, or to a hazardous materials collection center.

· Have your car maintained regularly to prevent oil, antifreeze and other fluid leaks.

· Reduce automotive emissions through routine auto maintenance, ride sharing and public transportation.

· Conserve water when washing your car and use only biodegradable, phosphate-free soap. Clean engines at a "Do It Yourself Car Wash" where the drainage is not connected to the storm drain.

You can control SWURP by supporting city and county activities to keep your streets clean. You can help by participating in recycling, beach clean-ups, and the proper disposal of hazardous materials.

Since many businesses and residents are unaware of the storm water & urban runoff problem, encourage neighbors and co-workers to be careful in not polluting the storm drain system.

Storm Water Quality Management Programs

Storm Water Quality Management Programs have been developed by the Orange County Environmental Management Agency, local cities, and other agencies which participate in the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES). Their responsibilities involve encouraging the public to help protect water quality, monitoring runoff in the storm drain system, managing the NPDES permit process for municipalities, investigating illegal disposal and maintaining storm drains.

Important Phone Numbers

Severe Emergencies Only: 911

San Clemente Utilities Division Hotline (for suspicious discharges or spills to the storm drain system): (949) 366-1553

Orange County Household Hazardous Materials Hotline: (714) 834-6752

For information on service stations that accept used motor oil, call the California Integrated Waste Management Board at (800) CLEANUP

For information on agricultural chemicals, pesticides and possible alternatives, call the O.C. Agriculture Commissioner at (714) 447-7100

Illegal Discharges & Allowable Discharges

The storm water / urban runoff permit includes specific types of discharges that that either are allowed or are illegal. These types of discharges may occur from business, commercial, industrial, and residential activities.

Allowable Discharges

Allowed discharges are not normally significant sources of pollutants. Activities that produce these discharges may be conducted in a “BETTER WAY ” that prevents or reduces pollutants that may flow to creeks and the ocean. Better ways of conducting these activities is called a “Best Management Practice” (BMP).Below is a list of the allowed discharges.

· Individual residential car washing discharge

· Lawn watering discharge

· De-chlorinated swimming pool discharge

· Irrigation water discharge (potable)

· Uncontaminated pumped ground water discharge

· Rising ground water discharge

· Uncontaminated ground water infiltration discharge

· Fountain drain discharge

· Spring discharge

· Diverted Stream Flow discharge

· Water from crawl space pumps

· Footing drain discharge

· Air conditioning condensation discharge

· Flows from riparian habitats and wetland discharge

· Water line flushing

Illegal discharges:

These are discharges from businesses, commercial, industrial, and residential activities that are illegal by the newly adopted urban runoff Permit. These activities may occur if the activity is conducted in a manner that results in no runoff entering the drainage system.

For example, this means that people can still wash down their driveway and sidewalks if they complete the activity in a fashion that captures or diverts the water they use. This may be accomplished by using “Best Management Practices” such as:

Sweeping the driveway and sidewalk of all debris and putting in the trash, then….

While using a hose nozzle, lightly spraying the driveway and sidewalk away from the gutter onto the lawn or into a planter area.

Only sweeping the driveway and sidewalk, and let mother nature wash it for you!

· Discharges of wash water from the cleaning or hosing of impervious surfaces in municipal, industrial, commercial, and residential areas including parking lots, streets, sidewalks, driveways, patios, plazas, work yards and outdoor eating or drinking areas.

· Discharges that result from the cleaning, repair or maintenance of any type of equipment, machinery, or facility including motor vehicles, cement-related equipment, and porta-potty servicing.

· Discharges of wash water from the hosing or cleaning of gas stations, auto repair garages, or other types of automotive service facilities.

· Sewage discharges.

· Discharges of wash water from mobile operations such as mobile automobile washing, steam cleaning, power washing, and carpet cleaning.

· Discharges of runoff from material storage areas containing chemicals, fuels, grease, oil, or other hazardous material.

· Discharges of pool or fountain water containing chlorine, biocides, or other chemicals; discharges of pool or fountain backwash water.

· Discharges of sediment, pet waste, vegetation clippings, or other landscape or construction related wastes.

· Discharges of food related wastes (e.g. grease, fish processing, and restaurant kitchen mat and trash bin wash water.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ON STORM WATER URBAN RUNOFF

Table of Contents
	Why are we marking the curbs and gutters with a message? Where does the storm drain go? What is the purpose of the storm drain system? What can you put down the storm drain? Why shouldn't yard trimmings and soil go into the storm drain? Doesn't rain wash the same kind of material into the creek anyway? What do I do if I see someone dumping something other than rain water down a storm drain? Did you know that...
1. Why are we marking the curbs and gutters with a message?
	Storm drain marking is a great way to remind people that storm drains are for clean rain water only. It’s a visual reminder that pollution prevention is important. back to top
2. Where does the storm drain go?
	Water that flows down driveways and streets into a gutter goes into a storm drain which eventually flows onto the beach. back to top
3. What is the purpose of the storm drain system?
	Its purpose is to prevent flooding of streets and highways by quickly and efficiently transferring rain water into creeks, and eventually the beach. back to top
4. What can you put down the storm drain?
	Local ordinances prohibit anything other than uncontaminated rain water from entering the storm drain system. Never pour anything into a gutter, street or storm drain. back to top
5. Why shouldn't yard trimmings and soil go into the storm drain? Doesn't rain wash the same kind of material into the creek anyway?
	When natural materials, such as grass clippings, break down, oxygen is drawn from the water. In a natural setting the amount of this debris would be limited to the leaves of those plants and trees bordering creeks. However, in our urban setting leaves and dirt on paved areas throughout the entire City are washed into the ocean. A lot of natural debris can ruin the natural balance of the ocean and harm fish. In addition, pesticides, oil leaked onto roads and driveways, and other pollutants are a less costly way to prevent storm water pollution. back to top
6. What do I do if I see someone dumping material down a storm drain?
	Call the City’s Hotline Number at (949) 366-1553. This number is monitored 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. back to top

7. Did you know that...
	Only after industrial sources of pollution were controlled did scientists and lawmakers realize how much pollution comes from average Americans doing everyday things. Currently 50-80% of all water quality problems in the state are the result of polluted runoff. Water is a universal solvent. When it falls as rain, it literally scours off contaminants that lie on rooftops, gardens and sidewalks–from cigarettes to pet waste to slug poison carrying these pollutants into the creeks. Most pollutants end up as water pollution. back to top

Links

The Surfrider Foundation
	The Surfrider Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to protecting our oceans, waves and beaches. (www.surfrider.org)
Orange County Urban Runoff Program
	The County of Orange is the managing agency for all cities in the County. Their website includes information on the County program including pollution prevention, regulatory reports, and water quality information. (www.ocwatersheds.com)
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
	The EPA is a Federal agency. There website includes environmental, pollution control, educational, and water quality information. (www.epa.gov)
State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB)
	The SWRCB is a State agency whose role is to protect water quality by setting statewide policy. There website includes environmental, pollution control, educational, and water quality information. (www.swrcb.ca.gov)
San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board (SDRWQCB)
	There are nine (9) regional boards statewide that implement the SWRCB policy. There website includes environmental, pollution control, educational, and water quality information. (www.swrcb.ca.gov/rwqcb9)
California Integrated Waste Management Board
	Information on household hazardous waste disposal and waste recycling. (www.ciwmb.ca.gov)
Orange County Health Care Agency
	Information on regulatory ocean water and public health information. (www.oc.ca.gov/hca)
California Coastal Commission
	The Commission is one of California 's two designated coastal management agencies for the purpose of administering the federal Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA) in California .There website includes environmental, pollution control, educational, and water. (www.coastal.ca.gov)

Urban Runoff Water Quality Municipal Code


	The city of San Clemente is participating as a "co-permittee” under the NPDES permits in the development and adoption of an ordinance to accomplish the requirements of the Clean Water Act. The purpose of the ordinance codified in Title 13, Chapter 13.40 is to help in the improvement of urban runoff water quality and to comply with the federal control requirements of pollutants to storm water runoff within the city. The urban runoff water quality municipal code can be viewed and printed at:

Link:	http://www.bpcnet.com/codes/sanclemente/

Urban Runoff Management Fee

Background Information

To properly fund activities to comply with storm water permit requirements mandated by the San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board (a State agency) and for needed ongoing operation and maintenance of the storm drain system, the City established a temporary, five-year Urban Runoff Management Fee.

The proposed Urban Runoff Management Fee will fund the implementation of the City’s Urban Runoff Management Program, which includes projects and programs such as:

· Structural urban runoff treatment projects to reduce bacteria and other pollution discharges along the City’s beaches.

· Increased street sweeping.

· New capital projects to maintain and repair the storm drain system.

· Water quality inspections and enforcement.

· Increased public education including grade school programs.

For more information about the proposed fee, please refer to the following documents (in Adobe Acrobat format):

· City Manager’s Update and Question/Answer Sheet – letter from the City Manager along with questions and answers on the urban runoff management fee.

· Urban Runoff Management Fee Amounts – summary table that shows the fees for different property categories.

· City Council Agenda Report, August 21, 2002 – staff report on a potential election for the proposed fee. This report provides information on the existing storm drainage fee, the activities and associated costs proposed for implementation to improve water quality, the Proposition 218 voter approval process, and options available to the City Council for further action.

Election Information

In accordance with State law (Proposition 218), the City obtained voter approval before adopting the urban runoff management fee. The City Council held a public hearing on the proposed fee on August 21, 2002, after which the City Council voted unanimously to place the proposed fee to a mail ballot vote of San Clemente property owners. The proposed urban runoff management fee was subsequently approved by San Clemente property owners, and the City Council certified the election results (listed below) on November 6, 2002. The urban runoff management fee will take effect on January 1, 2003.

URBAN RUNOFF MANAGEMENT FEE

ELECTION RESULTS

PROPERTY OWNER MAIL BALLOT ELECTION

Valid Ballots Mailed to Property Owners 17,522
Number of Ballots Returned to City Clerk 8,586
49% Return on the Mail Ballots
Number of Ballots Tabulated 8,168
Number of Invalid Ballots 418
YES Votes 4,626 – 56.6%
NO Votes 3,542 – 43.4%

Ocean Posting, Closures, and Advisory Notices


	The following website is managed by the Orange County Health Care Agency – Ocean Water Protection Program and provides up-to-date information on the status of beach postings, closures and advisory Notices. The site also includes other beach information.

Link:	http://www.oc.ca.gov/hca/regulatory/ocean/beach.htm

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT OCEAN CLOSURES AND BACTERIA TESTING


	The following website is managed by the Orange County Health Care Agency – Ocean Water Protection Program and provides important information on the County ocean testing program. Questions addressed include: How do I know that it is safe to swim at my local beach? How are water samples taken? How often are samples collected? What types of bacteria are tested for? How are the water samples analyzed? How are ocean and bay waters closed or posted? What are the State Ocean Water-Contact Sports Standards? What harmful microorganisms may be found in polluted water and what illnesses do they cause? What can I do to help improve water quality at the beach?

Link:	http://www.ochealthinfo.com/regulatory/ocean/faqs.htm

Storm Water / Urban Runoff Permit


	The United States Congress passed the Clean Water Act (33 USC Section 1251 et seq., as amended, including Section 402(p) therein) as a mandate, in part, that cities, obtain permits to "effectively prohibit non-storm water discharges into the storm sewers" and "require controls to reduce the discharge of pollutants to the maximum extent practicable..." This permitting authority has been delegated by the United States Environmental Protection Agency ("EPA") to the state of California , which has authorized the State Water Resources Control Board and its local regulatory agencies, the Regional Water Quality Control Boards, to control non-point source discharges to California 's waterways. The Santa Ana and San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Boards have addressed the obligation to implement the Clean Water Act by issuing waste discharge requirements for the county of Orange, Orange County Flood Control District and the incorporated cities of Orange County . These permits are collectively referred to as the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System Permit or "NPDES permits." San Clemente along with other cities in south Orange County is under San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board (SDRWQCB) jurisdiction. The permit can be read and printed from the SDRWQCB website:

Link:	http://www.swrcb.ca.gov/rwqcb9