clean creeks and ocean...

Water from our storm drains goes into our creeks and ocean. Here are some ways to make a difference at work and help protect our creeks and ocean.

• Use a broom to sweep your driveway. Rinsing your walkway with hose water can wash pollutants into the street where they make their way into the storm drain.

• Always pick up after your pet. Pet waste contains bacteria, therefore, when taking your dog for a walk, bring along a plastic grocery bag to pick up your dog’s waste. Then put it in the trash or flush it down the toilet. This insures that the bacteria will not get into waterways and end up in the ocean.

• Minimize the use of pesticides and herbicides in your garden. Consider alternatives to chemicals such as biological pest control and pulling out weeds by hand. If you must use chemicals in your garden, make sure to read the directions and always use the correct amount. This will stop excess chemicals from washing into waterways.

• Fix car leaks. Oil, antifreeze and other harmful chemicals leak onto streets, parking lots and driveways. When it rains, these harsh chemicals all wash to the creeks and ocean.

• Use the car wash. Commercial car washes recycle their water and make certain that the soapy water stays out of the storm drain. If you must wash your car at home, do so off of the pavement and use a bucket to contain the soapy water. Then pour suds down the sink or toilet so they will end up at the wastewater treatment plant. This will stop wash water from entering the storm drain.

• Never dump household hazardous waste or garden waste in the street or down the storm drain. Motor oil, antifreeze, paint, paint thinner, batteries and other common chemical cleaning products are considered Household Hazardous Waste and should only be disposed of at proper collection facilities. It is illegal to dump anything down the storm drain.

In the City of Santa Barbara, report illegal dumping and other creek water quality emergency items: Call. (877) OUR OCEAN, (877) 687-6232.

The South Coast Watershed Resource Center, a joint project by the Community Environmental Council, the City of Santa Barbara, the County of Santa Barbara, and other partners, makes the connection between healthy watersheds and our own positive personal choices. Visit the center to find out more!

To find out more, see Project Clean Water, and chemicals & batteries on this site.