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A watershed is a land area that drains water into a creek, river, lake, wetland, bay, or groundwater aquifer. In the Santa Clara Valley, all the water from rain and irrigation which flows over the land surface (called runoff) goes into storm drains, creeks and rivers that flow directly to San Francisco Bay. You live in a watershed that flows to a local creek, and all of the runoff from your home, yard and neighborhood flows to that creek.

The Watershed Watch Campaign is dedicated to educating and informing the public about the importance and value of local watersheds, and why protection of watersheds is so important to you, your children and future generations.

For more information, see our Frequently Asked Questions.

Watersheds are more than just drainage areas in and around our communities. They are necessary to support habitat for plants and animals, and they provide drinking water for people and wildlife. They also provide the opportunity for recreation and enjoyment of nature.

Protection of the natural resources in our watershed is essential to maintain the health and well being of all living things, both now and in the future.

Pollutants enter our creeks and rivers through storm drains that collect and convey runoff from most streets in our communities. The storm drains on your street may be stenciled with "No Dumping Flows to Bay" or a similar message. Water flowing through these storm drains is untreated and can carry pollutants to our creeks and streams, which eventually go to San Francisco Bay.

Pollution in our watersheds degrades the environment, harms wildlife habitat, impacts the economy and jobs, causes higher taxes and fees, and ultimately affects the health of humans as well. Pollutants such as motor oil, paint products, pet waste, litter, sediment, and chemicals such as fertilizers and pesticides are washed by rain and over-watered lawns into neighborhood gutters and storm drains.

In day-to-day activities, people can cause some of these pollutants to enter storm drains and creeks without knowing that they are causing harm to the environment. Some pollutants, including pesticides, are found in our creeks at levels high enough to be toxic to aquatic life. Other pollutants, such as mercury, even in relatively small quantities, contaminate certain fish which can be harmful when eaten by small children, pregnant women, or anyone who eats these fish frequently.

Doesn’t polluted water get treated through the sewer system?

The sanitary sewer system carries wastewater from sinks, toilets and other indoor drains to local wastewater treatment plants, where processes remove most wastes before the treated water is discharged to the Bay.

However, wastewater treatment plant processes cannot remove all solvents, metals, or organic chemicals from wastewater. The storm drain system carries rainwater and other runoff from roads, parking lots, and roof down spouts directly to local creeks and the Bay, with no treatment.

What is being done to prevent pollution?

The federal Clean Water Act and the California Water Code mandate that all cities and counties, as well as businesses and industries, take steps to prevent watershed pollution. However, individuals also cause pollution and each of us can prevent it by making very simple changes at home, work, school and play. Preventing pollution is much easier and less expensive than cleaning it up.

  • Find some alternative ways to control pests inside and outside your home, and enrich your soil without toxic chemical pesticides. If you do use pesticides, use them sparingly and according to the directions specified on packaging. Do not use if rain is forecast within 24 hours. Take unwanted pesticides to a Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event or call to schedule a drop-off appointment at 408-299-7300.

  • Clean up trash outside your home. Pick up leaves and yard clippings and recycle as green waste. If you see litter, pick it up and put it in a trash can.
     
  • If you change your own oil, recycle the waste oil at the curb or take it to a Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event. Regularly maintain your car to avoid leaks of auto fluids. Never pour oil or other automobile fluids into a storm drain or onto the ground.  For more information about caring for your vehicle and the environment, click HERE.
  • Wash your car on an unpaved area or better yet, take it to a commercial car wash.
     
  • Pick up your pet droppings and dispose of them in the trash or in your toilet.
     
  • Use kitty litter or other absorbent materials  (not your hose) to clean up spills and leaks on paved surfaces. Remember to clean up and properly dispose of the used absorbent.
     
  • Rinse latex paint brushes, pans and rollers in the sink. Filter and reuse oil-based paint thinner or brush cleaners. Take leftover latex and oil-based paints and solvents to a hazardous waste collection event. Never pour paint or solvents into a storm drain, sink or onto the ground.
     
  • Control erosion around your property to prevent dirt and debris being carried into the storm drain.
     
  • Divert rainspouts and garden hoses away from paved surfaces to prevent water from carrying pollutants directly into storm drains.  Provide landscaping next to sidewalks and driveways to collect runoff from paved surfaces.

  1. Ride a bike or walk along a creek. Visit www.parkhere.org for trail information.
     
  2. Take a walk along the wetlands with a naturalist. Call the Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge at Alviso at (408)262-5513 for more details.
     
  3. Find volunteer opportunities to help protect your watershed (be a watershed steward). Call the Santa Clara Valley Water District at (888) Hey-Noah and ask for the Adopt-A-Creek program for information on creek cleanups.

For more ideas on how to enjoy your watershed, call the Hotline at (866) WATERSHED.

 
 
SCVURPPP is an association of the thirteen cities and towns (Campbell, Cupertino, Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Los Gatos, Milpitas, Monte Sereno, Mountain View, Palo Alto, San Jose, Santa Clara, Saratoga, Sunnyvale) in the Santa Clara Valley, together with Santa Clara County and the Santa Clara Valley Water District. Program participants share a common permit to discharge stormwater to South San Francisco Bay.