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SOLID WASTE & HAZARDOUS MATERIALS

STORM WATER
POLLUTION PREVENTION

Do You Need a Storm Water Construction Permit? -click here-

County Storm Water
INFORMATIONAL SHEETS

Community Information [.pdf]

Construction Industry Information [.pdf]

Food Facility Information [.pdf]

Hazardous Waste Information [.pdf]
Storm water from urban runoff is one of the leading causes of pollution in creeks, rivers, and lakes. In fields and forests, most rain is absorbed by the soil or is taken up by plants and trees. However, developed areas contain many impermeable surfaces like roofs, parking lots, and streets. In developed areas, rainwater often travels over paved areas, into gutters and ditches, and through concrete storm drains. This rainwater is called "storm water" or "storm water runoff". Many people think that everything that flows into storm drains gets treated, just like wastewater in a sewer system. Actually, these two systems are not connected. Everything that flows into a storm drain goes untreated directly into our creeks, rivers, lakes, delta, and eventually the ocean.

Storm water can become polluted by pesticides, paint, fertilizers, pet waste, litter, oil and other automotive fluids, eroded soil, and household chemicals. Even small amounts of pollutants that accumulate on roads, parking lots, and sidewalks can be transported into nearby streams and rivers. Identifying sources of storm water pollution and keeping this pollution away from storm drains and ditches, is the best and most economical way to keep storm water clean.

WHAT EL DORADO COUNTY RESIDENTS CAN DO TO PREVENT STORM WATER POLLUTION

Residents of El Dorado County can do their part to prevent and control storm water pollution. Here are some easy steps that can be taken to prevent storm water pollution:

  • Don't dump anything down storm drains. Chemicals such as paint, oil, and pesticides harm fish, wildlife, and people.
  • Dispose of litter properly.
  • Keep storm drains clear of debris, dirt, sand, silt, and wastes.
  • Prevent dripping and spilling automotive fluids. Used oil and filters, antifreeze, and other automotive fluids can be safely recycled at a local used oil collection center.
  • Wash cars at a car wash rather than in a yard or on the street.
  • Reduce or eliminate use of chemical pesticides and fertilizers for landscaping and lawns.
  • Plant or pave areas that are prone to erosion.

THE NATIONAL POLLUTANT DISCHARGE ELIMINATION SYSTEM

Storm water pollution is controlled by the Clean Water Act amendments of 1987. The amendments authorized the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to expand the National Pollutant Discharge Eliminated System (NPDES) program to cover storm water discharges. The State of California has an approved EPA NPDES permitting program. For information on the types of facilities and projects that require a NPDES storm water discharge permit, please visit the sites listed below:

The following are links to the State Water Resources Control Board's Stormwater website and are documents in .pdf format


WESTERN EL DORADO COUNTY STORM WATER MANAGEMENT PLAN (SWMP)

LAKE TAHOE BASIN STORM WATER MANAGEMENT PLAN (SWMP)

For questions or comments about the Storm Water Management Plan (SWMP), please contact:

El Dorado County Department of Transportation (DOT)
2850 Fairlane Court
Placerville, CA 95667
(530) 621-5900
Fax: (530) 626-0387
http://www.edcgov.us/DOT/index.html