In Alameda County, runoff from storm drains flows directly to local creeks and to the San Francisco Bay, without treatment.  Storm water pollution is a serious problem for the people who live near streams or bay lands as well as for the wildlife that are dependent on our waterways.  Common sources of this pollution are: oil, fuel, and fluids from vehicles and heavy equipment; construction debris and dirt; landscaping runoff containing pesticides or weed killers; and other materials that people pour or spill into a street or storm drain.

All paints, solvents, and adhesives contain chemicals that are harmful to the wildlife in our creeks and Bay.  These toxic chemicals may come from liquids, solid products, cleaning residues, or rags.  Liquid residues from paint thinners, solvents, glues and cleaning fluids are hazardous wastes.  The Alameda Countywide Clean Water Program, Alameda County, and its 14 cities have joined together with the Alameda County Flood Control and Water Conservation District to educate local residents and businesses and to fight storm drain pollution.  Please refer to the brochure below for more information on these efforts.

Painting Pollution PDF 145K	Please download Acrobat Reader if you cannot view this document: Adobe Acrobat Reader Download

The State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) has issued a general NPDES Permit for storm water discharges associated with construction activity.  Your construction project may need to be covered under the General Permit.  To obtain coverage, you must file a Notice of Intent (NOI).  For more information about this coverage, call the State Water Board's Construction Activity Storm Water Hotline at 916-657-1146.