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Stormwater Pollution
• The storm drain system begins at the curb gutter in the street. The sole purpose of the storm drains is to quickly carry rainwater out to the ocean in order to prevent flooding. Thus the water is not treated or filtered like the waste in the sanitary sewer system. As a result, any urban pollution entering the system is discharged directly to the ocean.
Stormwater pollution occurs when rainfall, especially the "first flush", carries urban pollutants through the storm drain system into the ocean. The pollutants in this urban runoff include oil and other automotive fluids, paint and construction debris, yard and pet wastes, pesticides and litter. Each day 100 million gallons of polluted urban runoff enter the ocean untreated, leaving toxic chemicals in our surf and tons of trash in our beaches.
Where does La Habra’s stormwater go?
All of La Habra’s rainwater runoff drains into the Coyote Creek, which is a principal tributary of the San Gabriel River. The San Gabriel River empties into the Pacific Ocean in Seal Beach.
What does the City do to prevent Stormwater Pollution?
To help preserve the quality of life for our residents, beach goers, and sea life, the City of La Habra has implemented a number of programs to help reduce the amount of pollutants mixing with storm water and urban runoff. By implementing these programs, we hope to not only clean up our water, but preserve aquatic life for years to come. Here is a sample of those programs:
• Water Quality Ordinance – The City has an ordinance to locally enforce state storm water regulations.
• Street sweeping – All residential and commercial streets and City owned and/or operated parking lots are included in regularly scheduled street sweeping.
• Maintenance – Drainage (“catch”) basins are cleaned out on a regular basis. If you see a catch basin that is full please call us at (562) 905-9720 ext. 348
• Investigations – The City has designated Authorized Inspectors to investigate complaints/notifications regarding potential violations of the Water Quality Ordinance. Please call the above number if you have witnessed or are aware of a potential violation.
• Inspections – Several hundred businesses, construction sites, and municipal facilities within the City are inspected for compliance with storm water regulations. The inspections ensure the use of Best Management Practices (BMPs).
• Training – City employees routinely attend training to ensure the awareness and use of BMPs in the City and at inspected sites.
• Public Education – The City participates in the County’s public education and outreach program and also implements its own active program. The City’s program includes TV advertising, mailers, educational booths and materials at City events, and this web site!
• New Development/Significant Redevelopment – The City requires certain new developments and significant redevelopments to install structural storm water treatment controls to reduce and prevent pollution from running off the site.
Stormwater Pollution
Stormwater Pollution
Many residents are not aware that La Habra has two drainage systems - the sanitary sewers and the storm drains:
• Sanitary sewers drain the pipes connected to your sinks, bathrooms, washing machines, etc. They carry waste to a sewage treatment plant where the water is cleaned and then reused or discharged into the ocean away from beaches.
• The storm drain system begins at the curb gutter in the street. The sole purpose of the storm drains is to quickly carry rainwater out to the ocean in order to prevent flooding. Thus the water is not treated or filtered like the waste in the sanitary sewer system. As a result, any urban pollution entering the system is discharged directly to the ocean.
What is Stormwater Pollution?
Stormwater pollution occurs when rainfall, especially the "first flush", carries urban pollutants through the storm drain system into the ocean. The pollutants in this urban runoff include oil and other automotive fluids, paint and construction debris, yard and pet wastes, pesticides and litter. Each day 100 million gallons of polluted urban runoff enter the ocean untreated, leaving toxic chemicals in our surf and tons of trash in our beaches.
Where does La Habra’s stormwater go?
All of La Habra’s rainwater runoff drains into the Coyote Creek, which is a principal tributary of the San Gabriel River. The San Gabriel River empties into the Pacific Ocean in Seal Beach.
What does the City do to prevent Stormwater Pollution?
To help preserve the quality of life for our residents, beach goers, and sea life, the City of La Habra has implemented a number of programs to help reduce the amount of pollutants mixing with storm water and urban runoff. By implementing these programs, we hope to not only clean up our water, but preserve aquatic life for years to come. Here is a sample of those programs:
• Water Quality Ordinance – The City has an ordinance to locally enforce state storm water regulations.
• Street sweeping – All residential and commercial streets and City owned and/or operated parking lots are included in regularly scheduled street sweeping.
• Maintenance – Drainage (“catch”) basins are cleaned out on a regular basis. If you see a catch basin that is full please call us at (562) 905-9720 ext. 348
• Investigations – The City has designated Authorized Inspectors to investigate complaints/notifications regarding potential violations of the Water Quality Ordinance. Please call the above number if you have witnessed or are aware of a potential violation.
• Inspections – Several hundred businesses, construction sites, and municipal facilities within the City are inspected for compliance with storm water regulations. The inspections ensure the use of Best Management Practices (BMPs).
• Training – City employees routinely attend training to ensure the awareness and use of BMPs in the City and at inspected sites.
• Public Education – The City participates in the County’s public education and outreach program and also implements its own active program. The City’s program includes TV advertising, mailers, educational booths and materials at City events, and this web site!
• New Development/Significant Redevelopment – The City requires certain new developments and significant redevelopments to install structural storm water treatment controls to reduce and prevent pollution from running off the site.
