Businesses care about protecting the health of their community and the environment with an eye on the bottom line as well. By learning how to prevent pollution at the source, large and small businesses alike can have a great impact on the health of Carlsbad's beaches and lagoons and the City's economic well-being.
Storm drain protection is a key to preventing water and beach pollution. There is still confusion about the difference between a sanitary sewer and a storm drain.
The water that drains down a sink or toilet flows to the sanitary sewer and is treated by a wastewater treatment plant. The storm drain system is designed to carry rainwater away from streets, parking lots and driveways to prevent flooding. This water, along with the pollutants it picks up, flows directly into our creeks, lagoons and ocean without any treatment.
Storm drain systems carry pollutants like fertilizers and pesticides from landscape over-watering; dirt and materials from home improvement projects; metals and detergents from washing and maintaining vehicles; debris and spills from the streets and private properties; pet waste, cigarette butts and food container trash found on yards, parking lots and streets. All of these pollutants flow straight into our creeks, lagoons and ocean. The solution to preventing contamination in these areas is to prevent these pollutants from entering the storm drain system at the source.
The City of Carlsbad’s Storm Water Protection Program is a part of a statewide effort to protect our creeks, lagoons and ocean from polluted urban runoff. Outreach programs, water quality monitoring, response to complaints of illegal dumping, residential education and business inspections are all part of the program.
Awareness of the simple steps needed to prevent urban pollution from occurring also makes good business sense; many improve the balance sheet. The City of Carlsbad held a Food Services Industry workshop recently where local restaurants and delis learned about several programs designed to comply with stormwater, sewer and trash regulations. They also learned that these efforts could help save money for their business.
Here are helpful suggestions for keeping storm drains debris free:
? Know what's harmful. If it's harmful to you and your employees, it's harmful to the environment.
? Any liquid, solid or gaseous product labeled toxic, flammable, corrosive, irritant or poison is hazardous waste. Be sure to dispose of it properly.
? Limit or eliminate toxic pesticide, herbicides, and petroleum-based products. Ask a professional about nontoxic alternatives.
? Wash company vehicles at a commercial car wash that recycles and reuses its water. Maintain vehicles and fix leaks as quickly as possible.
? Operate a clean, dry shop. Sweep up around dumpsters and prevent trash from accumulating. Prevent spills and leaks.
? Protect storm drains on your property. Protect outdoor work and storage areas. Store materials indoors, or protect materials outdoors from being exposed to rain and runoff
? Practice waste reduction and recycling, especially used oils and chemicals.
? Put wastewater containing oil or grease from food preparation in a grease trap or interceptor. Never pour grease or oil into a sink, floor drain, storm drain or dumpster.
? Avoid using pesticides, herbicides or fertilizers just before it rains. Storms will wash your efforts away.
? Don't over water your landscaping. You'll save hundreds of gallons of water each year and will lower your water and sewer bills.
? Encourage employee carpooling and alternative transportation wherever possible.
? Train employees on storm water pollution prevention.
It's important to be aware that pollutants that enter our storm drains today will close our beaches tomorrow.
Contact the City of Carlsbad's Storm Water Protection Program for more information at by calling (760) 602-2799 or via email at [email protected]. Information is also available online at www.carlsbadconserves.org. To report a problem, call the Storm Water HOTline at (760) 602-2799.
Storm drain protection is a key to preventing water and beach pollution. There is still confusion about the difference between a sanitary sewer and a storm drain.
The water that drains down a sink or toilet flows to the sanitary sewer and is treated by a wastewater treatment plant. The storm drain system is designed to carry rainwater away from streets, parking lots and driveways to prevent flooding. This water, along with the pollutants it picks up, flows directly into our creeks, lagoons and ocean without any treatment.
Storm drain systems carry pollutants like fertilizers and pesticides from landscape over-watering; dirt and materials from home improvement projects; metals and detergents from washing and maintaining vehicles; debris and spills from the streets and private properties; pet waste, cigarette butts and food container trash found on yards, parking lots and streets. All of these pollutants flow straight into our creeks, lagoons and ocean. The solution to preventing contamination in these areas is to prevent these pollutants from entering the storm drain system at the source.
The City of Carlsbad’s Storm Water Protection Program is a part of a statewide effort to protect our creeks, lagoons and ocean from polluted urban runoff. Outreach programs, water quality monitoring, response to complaints of illegal dumping, residential education and business inspections are all part of the program.
Awareness of the simple steps needed to prevent urban pollution from occurring also makes good business sense; many improve the balance sheet. The City of Carlsbad held a Food Services Industry workshop recently where local restaurants and delis learned about several programs designed to comply with stormwater, sewer and trash regulations. They also learned that these efforts could help save money for their business.
Here are helpful suggestions for keeping storm drains debris free:
? Know what's harmful. If it's harmful to you and your employees, it's harmful to the environment.
? Any liquid, solid or gaseous product labeled toxic, flammable, corrosive, irritant or poison is hazardous waste. Be sure to dispose of it properly.
? Limit or eliminate toxic pesticide, herbicides, and petroleum-based products. Ask a professional about nontoxic alternatives.
? Wash company vehicles at a commercial car wash that recycles and reuses its water. Maintain vehicles and fix leaks as quickly as possible.
? Operate a clean, dry shop. Sweep up around dumpsters and prevent trash from accumulating. Prevent spills and leaks.
? Protect storm drains on your property. Protect outdoor work and storage areas. Store materials indoors, or protect materials outdoors from being exposed to rain and runoff
? Practice waste reduction and recycling, especially used oils and chemicals.
? Put wastewater containing oil or grease from food preparation in a grease trap or interceptor. Never pour grease or oil into a sink, floor drain, storm drain or dumpster.
? Avoid using pesticides, herbicides or fertilizers just before it rains. Storms will wash your efforts away.
? Don't over water your landscaping. You'll save hundreds of gallons of water each year and will lower your water and sewer bills.
? Encourage employee carpooling and alternative transportation wherever possible.
? Train employees on storm water pollution prevention.
It's important to be aware that pollutants that enter our storm drains today will close our beaches tomorrow.
Contact the City of Carlsbad's Storm Water Protection Program for more information at by calling (760) 602-2799 or via email at [email protected]. Information is also available online at www.carlsbadconserves.org. To report a problem, call the Storm Water HOTline at (760) 602-2799.