City of San José, Capital of Silicon Valley, 10th Largest U.S. city  
  City Home City Services About San José Visitors Feedback Search  
department title

Saturday, May 17, 2008

  Environmental Services Home
background image
 
CSJ Site Index
Accessibility Instructions
Problems viewing site

 

 
 

Trash & Stormwater

Photo of a trash-choked Coyote Creek, following a heavy storm.

Effects of Trash on Creeks and the Bay

Storm drains in the Santa Clara Valley transport water directly to local creeks and San Francisco Bay without treatment. This means trash and other pollutants washed down storm drains end up in our creeks and rivers. Trash can form large accumulations in urban creeks, like Coyote Creek, which can impact water quality, detract from the beauty of local urban creek areas, hamper recreational use, and potentially hinder flood control protection.

Return to top

Keeping Trash Out of Creeks

Always throw trash in the proper receptacle and never throw trash in the street, sidewalk or riverbanks. If you see trash in the street in front of your home or business, pick it up and put it in a trash can before the trash is swept into the stormdrain system and into the closest creek. Minimize the amount of trash you generate by using reusable or recyclable materials when possible. Or volunteer to help keep trash out of creeks through the City of San José's Adopt-A-Park, Adopt-A-Trail or the Santa Clara Valley Water District's Adopt-A-Creek programs.

Return to top

What the City is Doing

The City of San José and the Santa Clara Valley Water District spend a lot of time and money picking up trash in the City’s creeks and rivers. For example, under a joint agreement, the City and Water District removed and disposed of over 16 tons of trash from Coyote Creek and the Guadalupe River in 2006. Please see the Annual City-District 2006 Trash Report for more information.

Return to top

 

Report Storm Drain Dumping

Photo of a no-dumping storm drain stencil

Call (408) 945-3000

Or use the online form to report illegal dumping to the storm drain.

Adopt-A-Creek logoHelp keep our creeks clean and beautiful.
Adopt-A-Creek

 

 

Last Modified Date: 1/25/2008

 
 

City Home - City Services - About San José - Visitors - Feedback - Search

 

As a customer-driven organization, the City of San José welcomes any suggestions you might have to help us serve you better.