REPORT STORM DRAIN DISCHARGE CONCERNS

To report a spill, leak, release, or discharge to the storm drain or street gutter, please immediately:

Call 911 for life-threatening emergencies requiring a police officer, an ambulance, or fire truck for any reason. 

Call (408) 794-1900 for running water in the street, sanitary sewer overflows, localized flooding, or if you are unsure what the substance is. (Available 24/7)

Examples of Storm Drain Discharge Concerns 

  • Oil or grease poured into a storm drain
  • A vehicle leaking auto fluids onto the street
  • Greywater (soapy water) washed into a storm drain inlet
  • Paint, concrete, or stucco waste spilled in a gutter 
  • Pools or decorative ponds pumped to a storm drain 
  • Self-reported spills from your home or business 

City Enforcement Team Investigates 

The information and photos you provide will help maintain the health of our creeks and Bay. In the event of a violation, the City will provide education on stormwater protection and issue enforcement actions as necessary. The responsible party is required to clean up the discharge. Uncorrected or serious violations may result in fines per Title 15 of the San José Municipal Code.

 

Stormwater Flows Directly to Our Creeks, Rivers, and Bay

In San José, water that enters the storm sewer system flows directly to local creeks and the Bay without any treatment. That is why it is important to keep storm drains and areas near storm drains clean. That includes surface areas such as sidewalks, driveways, and streets where rain or irrigation runoff could pick up pollutants and discharge to storm drains. Help prevent stormwater pollution from reaching fish, wildlife, and people.

Storm Sewer System

The storm sewer system, also known as the Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) or storm drain system, moves water away from streets and into local water bodies to prevent flooding. Storm drains, curbs and gutters, streets, pipes, outfalls, and other conveyances all make up the MS4. In San José, there are approximately 35,500 storm drains, 1,100 miles of storm sewer pipes, and 1,700 outfalls that collect stormwater and eventually lead to the Guadalupe River or Coyote Creek. View the San José Storm Sewer System Map.

The City is Legally Required to Prevent Pollution to the Bay

Federal regulations require the City to protect the storm drains, creeks, and the Bay from pollution from illegal dumping and discharges. Title 15 of the San José Municipal Code gives the authority to inspect and enforce against discharge to the storm drains.

The work the City of San José does to prevent stormwater pollution is regulated under the jurisdiction of the San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board, Region 2 (Regional Board), the enforcement arm of the State Water Resources Control Board (Water Board).

The Regional Board issues a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Municipal Regional Permit (MRP) to the City of San José, and 75 other co-permittees, that regulates stormwater activities for most of the Bay Area. Permittees in Santa Clara County, such as the City of San José and the Santa Clara Valley Water District, formed an association called Santa Clara Valley Urban Runoff Pollution Prevention Program (SCVURPPP) to meet MRP regulations by sharing resources and collaborating on projects of mutual benefit. The MRP governs a variety of activities in the City of San José such as

Annual Report

Under the permit, San José has a Stormwater Management Plan outlining proposed activities necessary to protect our creeks and rivers from polluted stormwater runoff. The City also prepares an Annual Report that evaluates progress during that fiscal year. Both documents are approved by the City Council prior to their submittal to the Regional Board.

Get Involved!

Do you want to help keep our creeks, rivers, and Bay clean? Help clean up trash in our creeks by volunteering with: