Stormwater Pollution Prevention - National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES)

Stormwater pollution refers to rainwater and urban runoff water that accumulates pollutants from city streets, industrial sites, construction sites, farms, and neighborhoods. The following urban pollutants flow through the storm drain system—a network of channels, gutters, and pipes and discharge directly into local waterways:

• Anti-Freeze
• Cigarette Butts
• Motor Oil
• Paint from Brushes and Containers Rinsed in the Gutter
• Pet Waste
• Runoff from Pesticides and Fertilizers
• Toxic Household Chemicals
•  Trash

Contaminated runoff pollutes our drinking water and contaminates waterways, making them unsafe for people and wildlife.

Tips to Protect Our Waterways

Following a few green tips is all it takes to prevent stormwater pollution. Here are a few examples:

• Never clean brushes or rinse paint containers in the street, gutter, or near a storm drain. Clean water-based paints in the sink.
• Consider Grasscycling by leaving grass clippings on your lawn instead of using a grass catcher. The clippings act as a natural fertilizer, and because the grass is mostly water, it also irrigates your lawn, conserving water.
• Place leaves, grass clippings, and other yard waste into your green waste containers instead of blowing, sweeping, or hosing them into the street or gutter. This helps prevent clogging of catch basins and pollution of waterways.
• If water flows off your yard and onto your driveway or sidewalk, your system is over-watering. Sprinkler runoff carries pesticides and fertilizers into the storm drain system.
• During rain, be mindful that dog and other animal waste left on lawns, sidewalks, and in the street can wash into storm drains and flow untreated directly into our local waterways. The bacteria and risk of disease pose a threat to the health of our kids and communities.

Report Illegal Dumping or Non-Emergency Stormwater Violations

If you observe illegal dumping or the release of known or suspected hazardous materials, call 911 immediately. Stay away from the material and spill area and also keep others away. To report non-emergency violations call (562) 904-7202.

Commercial & Industrial Businesses

In order to comply with the Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permit for the Los Angeles Region issued by the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board for the State of California, the City of Downey is mandated to perform stormwater and non-storm water compliance inspections of local businesses to ensure businesses are complying with the MS4 Permit and the city’s stormwater ordinance. Commercial businesses must implement at least the applicable source control BMPs in Table 6 of the Los Angeles MS4 Permit.

Inventory

The City of Downey Public Services Division has developed an inventory of all existing commercial and industrial businesses and prioritized them according to the type of business and a potential threat to water quality. Based on this prioritization, the City will be conducting stormwater compliance inspections of all industrial and most commercial facilities within the City. In most cases stormwater compliance inspections could occur at any time, they are not scheduled in advance.

Construction and Land Development

During land disturbance activities, control erosion and prevent sediment and construction wastes from discharging to the street or storm drains. Projects that require a soil disturbance permit with the City must implement at a minimum the stormwater Best Management Practices (BMPs) in Tables 7 and/or 8 of the Los Angeles Municipal NPDES Permit (where applicable).

Sites that disturb an acre of land or more must apply for and comply with the State General NPDES Permit for Construction Activities.

 Best Management Practices

Please visit the Business section of the Los Angeles County DPW for tips on Best Management Practices to prevent stormwater pollution and help you remain in compliance.

Storm Drain Services

To comply with storm water regulations and requirements, the City continues to operate and maintain 33 miles of storm drains, two storm water lift stations, and six dry wells; remove debris from ditches, slots and catch basins; administer weed abatement, vacant house board-ups, shopping cart retrieval programs, and street sweeping services.

City Stormwater Pollution Prevention Projects and Programs

To see the implementation status of both regional and local stormwater pollution prevention projects and programs, visit Los Angeles County’s reporting module. The City pays for these projects and programs through a combination of fees, the City’s General Fund, and the Safe Clean Water (SCW) Program (Measure W).

The SCW program provides funding to increase our local water supply, improve water quality, and protect public health. To see how the funds are being spent, visit the District’s website at safecleanwaterla.org. To see how the City is spending its SCW Municipal Program funds, view the City’s Annual Plans and Reports at the website’s Municipalities page

Public Works Department - Utilities Division
11111 Brookshire Avenue
Downey, CA 90241-7016
T: (562) 904-7202
F: (562) 869-9832