Clean & Healthy Creeks

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When you take a shower or wash clothes in your home, the rinse water goes down the drain and into the sewer system to be treated. Outside your home, things are very different. Everything that flows into a storm drain goes untreated directly into our local creeks and ultimately, into the ocean. Our nearby wildlife, plants, and humans are dependent upon these bodies of water for habitat, livelihood and recreation. Unfortunately, the stormwater runoff from our urban Cityscape that enters the local watershed is often polluted by pesticides, fertilizers, litter, pet waste, motor oil, eroded soil, and household chemicals.

Stormwater is managed through implementation of the City’s National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit.

Stormwater partners meet monthly in Morgan Hill. May 2023 South County Stormwater Agenda (PDF)

A stormdrain is located at the end of most street blocks and is commonly mistaken as a sewer.

Visit the Stormwater and Urban Runoff Management webpage for more information and requirements for construction and post-construction requirements. 

Stormwater is Untreated

The purpose of a storm drain is to direct rainwater into rivers, creeks, streams, and other large bodies of water to prevent flooding in the City. Stormdrain water is not treated, and will end up in one of two places:

  • Reservoirs used for drinking water
  • Local creeks and the bay used for recreation and by wildlife

For more information, contact the Environmental Services Division.

Did You Know?

Storm water in Morgan Hill flows all the way to Monterey Bay. There are many activities that take place on-land that may end up in our waterways through storm water runoff.

Common Sources of Storm Water Pollution

  • Antifreeze
  • Fertilizers and pesticides
  • Fluid leaks from vehicles
  • Household cleaners
  • Motor oil
  • Overwatering landscapes
  • Paint
  • Pet waste left on lawns and streets
  • Smog from vehicles
  • Soap and dirt from washing vehicles
  • Weed killers
  • Yard Waste

How Urban Runoff Gets into Our Waterways

Stormwater Management (Credit: Town of Maynard, Massachusetts) 

Save Our Water, Creeks & Bay Now

Educational Resources

Brochures and other informational materials describing how you can prevent stormwater pollution are available for business owners, residents, home gardeners, teachers, and students to download at My Watershed website.

Valley Water has an extensive outreach program that includes teacher training seminars, highly-regarded classroom programs, and curriculum materials available online. 

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) website includes Water Education training activities for kids.

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