Clean Water Program

As an element of the Planning / Community Development Department, the Clean Water Program ensures city-wide compliance with the San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Boards Regional Municipal Stormwater Permit. The Clean Water Programs primary goal is to protect our most visible and valuable natural resources - our lagoons, and the Pacific Ocean - from the degradation caused by pollution in urban runoff.  To accomplish this, the Clean Water Manager works with staff from the various City Departments; representatives from community and environmental groups; and staff from other jurisdictions in San Diego County to ensure that the requirements of the Municipal Permit are met through proper education/training, water quality monitoring and assessment, auditing, facility inspections, planning and reporting, and enforcement activities.

What is storm water and urban runoff?
Storm water is a specific term referring to water generated from rain. Urban runoff is a more general term that refers to storm water runoff, along with all the other water that originates from urbanized areas, such as industrial discharges, leaks and spills, wash water, irrigation water and natural springs.

How does over irrigation impact water quality?
Besides literally throwing money down the drain, irrigation water that runs off your lawn can cause erosion and carry soil, trash, pet waste and excess fertilizers and pesticides from your lawn into the storm drains and ocean. Trash and decaying plant material can result in harmful bacteria at our beaches.  Pesticides can damage important ecosystems and cause health threats.  Fertilizers can contribute to excessive plant and algae growth, and dead and/or dying plant material in the water can take the oxygen out of the water and suffocate all other life in the water.

What causes beach closures signs to be posted?
Beach closure signs are required when beach water quality testing or known sewage spills indicate that a health threat exists to bathers due to high bacteria levels. Bacteria can increase in rivers and beaches from storm water and urban runoff entering the storm drains that has come into contact with fecal matter (animal waste, including pest waste), excessive green or garden waste, fertilizers and other materials. These postings are required by the County Health Department. The beach closure signs or postings are removed once water quality testing shows that water quality has returned to safe levels. The Citys Lifeguards are notified by the County Health Department regarding posting requirements and can provide additional information. To obtain additional beach water quality information you may visit the Heal the Bay Beach Report Card for weekly updates (www.healthebay.org) or contact the City of Del Mar Water Quality Division at 858-755-9313.

Can I hose down my sidewalks and driveways?
It is illegal to power wash or hose down your sidewalks and driveways if the water enters a storm drain, stormwater conveyance system (the gutter), or receiving water (the lagoons or ocean).  Hosing and power washing flush all of the pollutants that are on the streets, sidewalks and driveways into the nearest storm drain and out to the ocean. These pollutants typically include oil and other automobile fluids, metals from air pollution that have settled, pet waste, lawn waste, bacteria, sediments and trash.  There are methods that can be employed to contain and properly dispose of wash water, preventing it from entering the storm drain. For example, commercial power washers are required to contain the wash water with berms or other methods, vacuum it up and then dispose of it in an approved location, usually the sanitary sewer. If residents do not have the resources to prevent the wash water from entering the streets and storm drain, an easy alternative is to sweep up (instead of hosing down) the areas and dispose of the debris in the trash.

Does that mean I can't wash my car at home?
It is still permitted to wash your personal vehicle at home. However, the best alternative is to take your vehicle to a commercial car wash, where wash water is recycled and then directed to the sanitary sewer for treatment. If you must wash your vehicle at home, please try to limit the amount of soap and water used and, if possible, conduct the washing on a pervious surface where the water can soak in, such as on your lawn or gravel. It should be noted that charity car washes are prohibited in the City, unless the wash water is prevented from entering the storm drain system and receiving water bodies. The City can provide guidance as to how charities can conduct water friendly car washes.  Mobile Detailers may be used by residents providing they have a City of Del Mar Business License and contain the wash water with berms or other methods, vacuum it up and then dispose of it in an approved location, like the sanitary sewer.

What can I do when I drain my swimming pool water?
You are allowed to slowly discharge dechlorinated pool water to the streets and storm drains. To dechlorinate the pool water, you can let it sit (without adding any more chemicals) and test for chlorine or use a commercial dechlorinating chemical (available at pool supply stores) and carefully follow instructions. You must also be careful and monitor the discharge rate of your pool drainage, so that you dont cause any erosion downstream. We advise all residents and pool maintenance companies to contact the Public Works Department (858-755-3294) prior to discharging pool or spa water to review the most appropriate method based on the location and conditions.

What about oil and other automobile fluids?
It is illegal to dump oil or other automobile fluids into the gutters or storm drains. All automobile fluids must be stored under a cover or in watertight containers. Outdoor auto repairs are illegal during a rainstorm, and all hazardous waste must be disposed of at a hazardous waste collection site.  Residents can dispose of household hazardous materials at the Poway Facility or the Vista Facility (1-800-444-4244). Spilled or leaking fluids should be cleaned up with an absorbent product (such as oil dry or kitty litter), swept up and properly discarded.

Do I need to worry about small home improvement projects?
It is illegal to allow any building materials (such as paint, wood stain, or grout), or wash water from the cleaning of building materials, to enter a storm drain. It is also illegal to discharge dirt in the streets or storm drains. If you have a small stockpile of dirt or other materials, you must make sure it is covered when not in use (you can secure a tarp over the pile). Keeping the material covered will protect it from rain and wind. You must also vegetate or secure with appropriate erosion control materials all bare areas so that they will be protected from erosion.

Too much sediment or dirt in our water bodies chokes aquatic life by creating murky conditions, filling natural drainage areas, and altering the topography of the land. If you see building materials or dirt coming off the property of any construction sites, immediately notify the City at 858-755-9313, ext. 172 or use the Citizen Complaint Form found on the Citys website and we will have an inspector on the site as soon as possible.

For other environmental concerns, please contact the regional public hotline at 1-888-846-0800 (24-hours a day) or the Public Works Department during normal business hours at 858-755-3294 to report your concern.

Is there anything else I can do?
Water conservation and water quality protection go hand-in-hand.  When planning new landscaped areas around your home, consider using drought tolerant plants or native plants.  These use less water, and as a result less run-off from the garden enters into our storm drains. The use of drip-irrigation systems, soil moisture sensors to shut off sprinklers when not needed, and ensuring that sprinklers are turned off during rainstorms, all help!

In addition, consider the use of alternative to chemicals for management of garden pests.  Too much pesticide used outdoors ends up in our lakes, beaches, and bays when it rains or when we over-water. The same with excess fertilizer - it can be too much of a good thing.  Accidental contact with pesticides can also harm our pets and children. Information on Integrated Pest Management is available from the County of San Diego and from major lawn and garden centers throughout San Diego County.

Lastly, if you see any potential contaminants entering the storm drains immediately notify the City of Del Mar Clean Water Program at 858-755-9313, ext. 172 or use the Citizen Complaint Form found on the Citys website and we will have an inspector on the site as soon as possible.  Of special concern are any of the following potential sources of contaminants:

• Building materials or dirt coming off the property of any construction sites,
• Power washing or mobile detailing operations whose run-off is flowing into the storm system;
• Landscape crews using hoses to wash down driveways or gutters into the street; or
• Restaurants washing their mats or equipment and allowing the runoff to flow into the streets or alleyways.

For other environmental concerns, please contact the regional public hotline at 1-888-846-0800 (24-hours a day) or the Public Works Department during normal business hours at 858-755-3294 to report your concern.

For more information, please visit the Clean Water Information page.