Frequently Asked Questions

In an emergency, where the public health and safety is in danger, please call 911. In all other situations, call 408-586-2600.

Stormwater pollution is when water from rainstorms, garden hoses and sprinklers causes runoff that collects harmful debris and flows through local creeks, rivers and lakes - eventually draining, untreated, into the ocean.

A watershed is an area of land that collects water whenever it rains or snows. Through gravity, water is channeled into soils, groundwater, creeks, and lakes and drains into larger bodies of water such as rivers. Eventually, the water flows to an ocean. 

We all live in a watershed, and whatever we do to the land will affect water quality downstream.

No. Storm water flows do not receive any treatment because of the sheer volume of runoff - tens of millions of gallons on even the driest day - from an area encompassing more than 1,000 square miles.

Getting involved is a great way to keep your neighborhood and local waterways clean. Here are a few simple ways to help keep pollutants out of local water bodies:

• Participate in or organize a local neighborhood clean-up.
• Educate your friends and family about the impact pollutants have on water quality.
• Reduce, reuse and recycle.
• Always use canvas bags when shopping.
• Consider installing a rain barrel on your property to harvest the rain. It's a great way to save money and conserve one of our most precious natural resources!