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You may have seen these markings near drain inlets around our City.
It is important to remember that both public and private storm drain system are designed to convey only clean rain water, which flows into our local channels, creeks, streams, and eventually the ocean.
An illicit discharge is anything other than clean water entering the storm drain, channel, creek, or stream. By dumping any material other than clean water into the storm drain, you are polluting our local creeks and streams. This pollution impacts your local community financially for clean up and environmentally by harming the natural habitat.
Types of illicit discharge:
- Direct dumping into public or private storm drains some common illicit material found in storm drains are: paints, used motor oil, leaves, soaps/cleaners, trash, dirt.
- Construction sites can also contribute to water pollution, by allowing contaminated construction water (concrete, paints, sediment) to discharge into the storm drain.
- Indirect spills or sewer overflows which could discharge to storm drains or water ways.
To protect the water quality of our streams, creeks and public health, please report all illicit discharges to the Public Works Department at 408-776-7337 (Monday thru Friday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm). During after hours, please leave a message with your name and phone number, where you can be reached, and a detail message regarding the illicit discharge.
However, during after hours, if you believe the matter is an urgent water quality concern which should be addressed immediately, call 911 first (and then leave a message with the Public Works Department).
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