Stormwater

Clean Watershed

Protect Your Water!

If you witness an illicit discharge or dumping to the storm drain system, please call 805-986-6561 during normal business hours.

To report after hours or on weekends/holidays please call Police Dispatch at 805-986-6538.

Stormwater Quality Management Program

The Wastewater Division oversees the City's Stormwater Quality Management Program. The City is required by the Clean Water Act to comply with a Stormwater National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit issued by the State. The Stormwater Quality Management Program implements this Federal mandate to reduce the amount of pollution that enters our stormdrain system. Unlike wastewater flows that get treated to remove pollutants, stormwater runoff runsdrains-to-the-ocean-no-dumping-sign directly to the stormdrains and eventually to our waterways without treatment. This untreated runoff can carry many pollutants to our waterways and eventually the ocean. There are some relatively simple things that everyone can do to help prevent stormwater pollution and these include:

  • Don't dump litter or waste on streets or in stormdrains.
  • Keep yard trimmings and leaves out of the street.
  • Dispose of household chemicals properly.
  • Pick up after your pet and dispose of waste in a trash can.
  • Clean up oil spills and fix leaking automobiles.
  • Sweep driveways and sidewalks clean - do not hose them down.

To find out more about stormwater and pollution prevention please visit Ventura County Stormwater or Clean Water Shed website.

Draft Ordinance Banning Single-Use Plastic Bags

Did you know that the County of Ventura has an ordinance that bans single-use plastic bags? Los Angeles County approved a similar environmental impact report and ordinance banning single-use plastic bags, and became the largest city in the nation to ban single-use plastic bags. Carpinteria also approved a ban, and Ojai became the first city in Ventura County to ban single-use plastic bags. The Catalyst ABC TV - Plastic Oceans video illustrates the impact of plastics on our watershed and ocean. 

Please visit our Plastic Bag Recycling page for more information.

View Stormwater Runoff Videos from the State Water Resources Control Board.