Runoff 101
May is water awareness month, but OC ❤️ water every day. Let’s all do our part to protect our creeks, rivers, and ocean. Unlike the sewer system which does treat water, anything that flows into the storm drain system can go untreated into our waterways if we aren’t careful. Only clean stormwater should flow into the storm drain. It’s all of our responsibilities to maintain our property and prevent pollutants like trash, pet waste, pesticides, and fertilizers from coming in contact with stormwater on its way to the storm drain. On this page, you’ll learn what runoff is and where it goes. Click on the Resources tab to dive into things you can do at home, at work, or at school to protect water quality. Check out our events calendar to get involved today.
Collecting and using stormwater as a local resource helps make Orange County more resilient, reducing dependency on imported water supplies. Orange County cities and the County are building sustainable stormwater collection projects in partnership with local water agencies. There are things you can do at home, too: collect stormwater in rain barrels and reuse it to water your plants and gardens; disconnect and redirect downspouts to rain gardens; and/or reducing hardscape areas to encourage rain to soak into the ground.
Every day, there are actions we can take to prevent runoff pollution and make a positive impact on water quality in Orange County. Let’s keep our creeks, rivers, and ocean thriving!
