URBAN RUNOFF-STORM WATER PROGRAM
Union Sanitary District (USD) has entered into
a unique contractual partnership with the City of Fremont in which USD
provides the expertise to fulfill several elements of the City's Federally
mandated Urban Runoff-Storm Water Program. This agreement allows USD to
act as a representative of the City of Fremont during inspections of commercial/industrial/residential
facilities for compliance with the City of Fremont's Storm Water Management
Plan (Municipal Ordinance 2012) and to initiate enforcement actions against
violators when warranted. However, the main goal of this partnership is
to protect our creeks and bay by educating the business and public sectors
about discharges, storage or practices which lead to illegal discharges
to our storm drains/creeks and promoting and achieving voluntary compliance.
It is estimated that between 50% to 80 % of all the pollutants
entering the San Francisco Bay, are discharged from storm drain systems.
Any pollutant, such as automotive fluids, solvents, pesticides, paint,
liter and sediment with is either illegally dumped or washed down the
storm drains during a storm event, flows untreated directly to our creeks
and ultimately our bay. Strict local, state and federal regulations state
that only rainwater, with a few exceptions (i.e. fire fighting water)
is permitted to enter the storm drain system. Further, all non-storm water
discharges to the storm drain be effectively eliminated and that all practicable
measures be taken to prevent pollutants from entering the storm drain
system.
There are many ways you can do to reduce pollutants reaching
the storm drain system. Simple things like not pouring used motor oil
down the storm drain, but taking it to a recycler, washing paintbrushes
in the sink instead of the gutter and taking your car to a car wash instead
of washing it in your driveway. For further information on approved Best
Management Practices for a variety of activities such as concrete work
or surface cleaning or for addition information, please access the appropriate
Fact Sheet / BMP. Just remember, for a cleaner environment, only clean rainwater
down the drain.
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