Storm Drains

Storm drains are maintained by the Town’s streets and sewer crews. The Town has hundreds of drainage inlets that must be maintained to convey stormwater into the San Francisco Bay.

Sewer and Storm Drain: What's The Difference?
When it comes to waste disposal, it is very important to know the difference between a sanitary sewer drain and the storm drain.

Sewer drains receive water that flows from showers, sinks, and toilets and is conveyed to the treatment plants. After a thorough treatment process, water is discharged into the San Francisco Bay.

Storm drains are found outdoors. For example inlets are located on the sides of streets. This water is not treated before it reaches the
San Francisco Bay. Thus any trash placed in the street can flow into a storm drain and eventually be found in the bay.

Avoid Storm Drain Pollution!

Stormwater enters storm drains and flows directly into nearby creeks, rivers and the San Francisco Bay. That is why it is important to avoid dumping items such as pesticides, paint, detergents, chemicals and debris into storm drains. When these pollutants go into the storm drain they can damage our local environment.

• Do not emply swimming pool water, filter backwash, or wastes from acid washing, plastering or grout into storm drains. Instead dispose of pool water in the sanitary sewer through a clean out, a laundry sink or other plumbing fixture. (Swimming pool water can only enter a storm drain if it has been dechlorinated after a long period of time.)

• Dispose unwanted pool chemicals properly. Many are hazardous waste and should be discarded appropriately. Contact the County’s Household Hazardous Waste Program.