Download Planning - City of Dana Point

Content Preparation Template
File Name (page #ID in site map + file short description): #429
Navigation Name: Ocean Water Quality / Urban Runoff
Page Title: Ocean Water Quality / Urban Runoff
Subtitle: FAQs
FAQs
Q: What is storm water and urban runoff? (link to question/answer below, typical for all
questions below)
Q: Where does water that enters the storm drains go?
Q: What is the difference between the storm drain system and the sewer system?
Q: Where does water pollution come from?
Q: What is a watershed?
Q: How does over irrigation impact water quality?
Q: Can I hose down my sidewalks and driveways?
Q: Can I wash my car at home?
Q: What can I do when I drain my swimming pool water?
Q: What do the laws say about oil and other automobile fluids?
Q: What is storm water and urban runoff?
A: 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
urban areas, such as irrigation water, wash water, industrial discharges, leaks and spills, and also
groundwater seepage and natural springs.
Q: Where does water that enters the storm drains go?
A: Anything that enters the storm drains goes straight to our creeks, beaches and ocean.
Q: What is the difference between the storm drain system and the sewer system?
A: The storm drain system carries urban runoff to the creeks, beaches and ocean. The sewer
system is designed to carry water from indoor plumbing to a wastewater treatment plant where it
is treated to meet standards before being discharged. Please see the graphic below which
illustrates the difference.
(image: #429_sewer vs stormdrdain.jpg)
Q: Where does water pollution come from?
A: Water pollution comes from hosing and car washing in driveway, pet waste, litter, yard
clippings, fertilizer, pesticides, etc.
Q: What is a watershed?
A: A watershed is a land area that drains stormwater and runoff into the same creek, river, bay,
beach or ocean. Watersheds are usually bordered and separated from other watersheds by
mountain ridges or other naturally elevated areas.
Q: How does over irrigation impact water quality?
A: Besides literally “throwing money down the drain,” irrigation water that runs off your lawn
can 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.
Q: Can I hose down my sidewalks and driveways?
A: It is illegal to hose down or power wash or your sidewalks and driveways if the water enters
the streets, gutters, storm drain or receiving water. Hosing or power washing flushes 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, wash water can be contained in a specified area with a
sandbag berm, straw waddle or other methods, the vacuumed up with a shop-vac and then
dispose of in a utility sink or sewer cleanout or into a vegetated area which has the capacity to
handle the amount of washwater. It is important to make sure you or your contractor have the
proper equipment to do the job without violating laws.
An alternative to wet washing is sweeping up areas in need of cleaning and disposing the debris
in the trash. This also supports water conservation.
Q: Can I wash my car at home?
A: It is permitted to wash your personal vehicle at home; however, if a hired service (such as a
mobile detailer) is used, the washwater must be contained and disposed of properly. It is
important for you to make sure any hired services have the proper equipment to do the job
without violating any laws. There are products available, such as car washing mats, to help
mobile detailers adhere to the law. Sandbag or straw waddles are a simple, easily accessible way
to contain the wash area so that the washwater can be vacuumed up with a shop vac and disposed
in a utility sink or sewer cleanout or other designated location.
It is important to point out that due to the potential impacts of traditional residential “self”
carwashing on ocean water quality, as well as the importance of conserving water, traditional
residential self carwashing is discouraged. However, a number of alternatives are available to
keep your car clean, such as taking the vehicle to a commercial car wash, where wash water is
recycled and then directed to the sanitary sewer for treatment; using a waterless product for
cleaning; and/or utilizing a high pressure, low water system that does not result in runoff.
It should be noted that charity car washes are prohibited, 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 car washes without breaking the law. There are also a number of
different ways to fund raise that have less of an impact on our water quality or supply.
Q: What can I do when I drain my swimming pool water?
A: 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 don’t cause any erosion downstream.
Q: What do the laws say about oil and other automobile fluids?
A: 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. All hazardous waste
must be disposed of at a hazardous waste collection site. Used oil can be taken to designated oil
recycling centers for free. Local places include:
Dana Point Fuel Dock
34661 Puerto Pl
Dana Point , CA 92629
(949) 496-6113
EZ Lube #22
34242 Doheny Park Rd
Dana Point , CA 92624
(919) 661-1023
Residents can also dispose of oil and other household hazardous materials at any of the Orange
County Household Hazardous Waste Collection Centers (www.oclandfills.com). Spilled or
leaking fluids should be cleaned up with an absorbent (like oil dry or kitty litter), swept up and
properly discarded.