In Alameda County, storm drains flow directly to local creeks and San Francisco Bay, with no treatment. Storm water pollution is a serious problem for wildlife dependent on our water ways, and for people who live near polluted streams or baylands.

Food handling facilities such as restaurants, institutional cafeterias, grocery stores, bakeries, and delis can contribute to storm water pollution, mainly through improper clean up practices that allow food particles, oil and grease, and cleaning products to flow to a street, gutter, or storm drain.

In the Tri-City area, discharge of grease or oil to the storm drain is prohibited by ordinance. Dischargers to the sanitary sewer must meet the local oil and grease limit of 300 mg/L.

Following the "Best Management Practices" (BMPs) in this web page will help ensure compliance with ordinance requirements with respect to both the sanitary sewer and the storm drains and will contribute to a cleaner Bay.