Stormwater
When water flows over rooftops, lawns, pavement, or other hard surfaces, it creates runoff. Runoff occurs during rain events and from human activities. It carries with it chemicals, trash and other pollutants. Did you know that we create urban runoff when hosing off the sidewalk, washing the car in the driveway, or over-watering the yard? It is also caused by various commercial, industrial and construction activities. Collectively, this is called stormwater runoff.
As the stormwater runoff flows into the streets, down the gutters and into catch basins, it picks up contaminants including trash, motor oil, fertilizers, dog poop, bacteria, viruses, and chemicals. The runoff travels through the storm drain system of underground pipes and flows directly to the ocean untreated. The result is stormwater pollution. It is harmful to our health, our beaches and oceans, marine life, and the environment.
Pollution Prevention
By taking simple actions, we can help prevent pollution to our environment while protecting the ocean’s water quality, marine life and our natural resources.
To report spills, illicit discharges or connections, or to obtain further information, please call:
Regular Business Hours: (805) 271-2200
Monday – Thursday 7:30am – 5:00pm
Alternate Fridays 7:30am – 4:00pm
Emergency After Hours: (805) 797-7598
Help keep our storm drains clean by reporting illegal dumping and litter.
Join a park cleanup.
Volunteer at the annual Coastal Cleanup Day event.
Reduce, reuse, recycle, and properly dispose of bulky items and household hazardous waste. Learn more.
The California State Water Resources Control Board (State Water Board) regulates stormwater discharges from construction sites because of its potential to mobilize pollutants and discharge into waterbodies or watersheds. By regulating these discharges, the State Water Board is preserving, enhancing, and restoring California’s waterbodies and its resources. Certain activities associated with construction and land disturbances require a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) General Permit for Stormwater Discharges.
The Industrial General Permit regulates industrial storm water discharges and authorized non-storm water discharges from industrial facilities in California. The State Water Resources Control Board (State Water Board) and Regional Water Quality Control Boards (collectively, the Water Boards) implement and enforce the Industrial General Permit.
City Ordinance Stormwater Quality Management
Web Link
MS4 NPDES Permit for Los Angeles and Ventura Counties
WASTE DISCHARGE REQUIREMENTS AND NATIONAL POLLUTANT DISCHARGE ELIMINATION SYSTEM (NPDES) PERMIT
Web Link
EPA Clean Water Act/NPDES
Web Link
Resources
Ventura County’s Community for a Clean Watershed
We work toward raising awareness among residents and business-owners of the issues impacting the health of Ventura County’s watersheds.
Web Link
Ventura Countywide Stormwater Quality Management Program
VCSQMP works to improve stormwater quality, monitor the health of our watersheds and meet the compliance requirements of the Ventura Countywide Stormwater Permit.
Web Link
Water Efficient Landscapes
Water efficient landscapes help reduce runoff, conserve water and energy, and reduce waste
Web Link
California Water Boards
State Water Resources Control Board
Web Link