Pollution watch Residents are asked to keep it clean

Each year, the Los Angeles County Department of Beaches and Harbors removes more than 4,500 tons of trash from local water areas. When the rain falls, as it did earlier this week, the volume of water flowing through the storm drain system can increase up to 10 billion gallons, making it nearly impossible to use nets to remove unwanted waste.

The trash in the streets that is picked up by the rain either clogs the local storm drains or ends up on the beaches.

As the rainy season continues, the Calabasas Environmental Services Division is asking area residents and businesses to remember some basic tips to keep the streets clear of trash, litter and debris—pollution that will eventually ends up in the local watershed.

“We’ve started a program where our inspectors go out and visit all the active construction sites to make sure that they’ve implemented the necessary measures to prevent sediment runoff or water runoff into the storm drain,” said Alex Farassati, Calabasas environmental services manager. “They have to contain the trash. They have to contain all the untreated material that is onsite, the dirt, the soil and all that. But, in addition to that, we’re asking the residents to cooperate with us.”

Almost everything in the street—trash, cigarette butts, pet waste, oil that leaks from cars— ends up in the storm drains. Unlike in the sewer system, water traveling through storm drains is not treated and the pollutants and debris end up spoiling the area’s watershed.

In addition to polluting the ocean, the trash in storm drains can cause flooding by clogging the drainage system and allowing water to back up into the streets.

Experts offer the following tips to prevent flooding and reduce storm water pollution:

•Don’t throw litter and debris into the street and sweep up so that trash won’t fill the storm drains.

•Clean off oil stains on driveways.

•Cover all trash cans so that when it rains, the cans don’t overflow with trash which can end up in storm drains.

•Pick up after dogs. Animal waste contains disease-causing pathogens that, when left on the ground, wash down the storm drains and contaminate beaches.

•Reduce the use of pesticides and fertilizers. Excessive fungicides, insecticides and fertilizers can run off a property when watering a yard and the pollutants can flow into the storm drains.

“We hope with everybody’s cooperation, we can have a cleaner winter this year,” Farassati said. “Last year we had a lot of rain and a lot of trash in the creek: trees, trash, benches, chairs—we found practically everything in there.”

To report spills into storm drains, clogged storm drains, illegal dumping, or to find out more information about how to prevent storm water pollution in Los Angeles County, call (888) CLEAN LA (253-2652).