trash in private land drainage areas (Plda)

The City of San José is required by the State Water Quality Control Board to implement a process to ensure all private properties that have a connection to the City's storm sewer system comply with new, ongoing requirements by June 30, 2025. Properties with elevated levels of trash will be assigned a City Inspector who will work with the property owner or manager to ensure trash generated on-site is reduced to a low level or that State-approved full trash capture devices are installed.

What are the requirements?

The City Inspector will assess and score the level of trash using a standardized methodology used to provide qualitative estimates of the amount of trash that accumulates on private properties that may flow into a storm drain and into the City's storm sewer system. This process is called "on-land visual trash assessment" (OVTA). The inspector will document the practices that the property owner or manager is using for trash control. For properties that have elevated levels of trash, property owners will be given the option to install a Full Trash Capture Device(s) certified by the State Water Resources Control Board; or keep the property consistently clean to a low trash level.

Registration Requirement

All properties that meet the definition of PLDA must be registered as PLDA in accordance with City Council Policy 6-36*

Link to register coming soon.*

Why does trash in the waterways and Bay matter?

Stormwater from private property enters storm drain inlets and flows directly to local creeks and the Bay, without treatment. Stormwater is often contaminated by pollutants that are deposited on land, like trash, and can be toxic to fish, wildlife, and people. Trash is a pollutant that impacts local creeks, rivers, and the Bay.

Community Meetings

In April and May 2024, the City invited parcel owners, managers, and stakeholders to attend two virtual meetings to explain the inspection program and answer questions. Recordings of these meetings can be viewed by clicking the links below.

Session 1: Tuesday, April 30, 2024, 2 - 3 p.m. View meeting recording

Session 2: Wednesday, May 8, 2024, 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. View meeting recording

  • Language interpretation services are available for questions about program information at no cost for community members. Please contact us by emailing WSPinbox@sanjoseca.gov or calling (408) 945-3000. 
  • Los servicios de interpretación de idiomas están disponibles sin costo para los miembros de la comunidad. Comuníquese con WSPinbox@sanjoseca.gov o llame al (408) 945-3000.
  • Các dịch vụ thông dịch ngôn ngữ được cung cấp miễn phí cho các thành viên trong cộng đồng. Vui lòng liên lạc tới WSPinbox@sanjoseca.gov hoặc gọi số (408) 945-3000.
  • 社區成員可以獲得免費的口譯服務。請至少在會議前一周聯繫 WSPinbox@sanjoseca.gov 或致電 (408) 945-3000 申請口譯服務。

What are levels of trash generation?

 A - Low - Not Littered (Green Category)

  • Effectively no trash is observed in the assessment area.

  • There may be some trash in the area, but it is not obvious at first glance.

  • One individual could easily clean up all the trash observed while walking at normal pace.

  • No additional trash reduction measures are needed in the assessment area.

 B - Moderate - Slightly Littered (Yellow Category)

  • Predominantly free of trash, except for a few littered areas.

  • Some trash is noticeable at first glance.

  • The trash observed could be collected by one or two individuals but would require walking at slower than normal pace.

  • Additional trash reduction measures are needed in the assessment area.

 C - High - Littered (Orange Category)

  • Predominantly littered, except for a few clean areas.

  • Trash is widely/evenly distributed and or small accumulations are noticeable on the streets and sidewalks.

  • It would take multiple people to remove all trash from the area, frequently requiring individuals to stop walking to remove the trash.

  • Roughly four times as much trash as a "B" level.

 D - Very High - Very Littered (Purple Category)

  • Trash is continuously seen throughout the assessment area and there is a strong impression of lack of concern for litter.

  • Large piles of trash may be observed.

  • It would take a large number of people during an organized effort to remove all trash from the area, consistently requiring individuals to stop to remove the trash.

  • Roughly three times as much trash as a "C" level.