Storm Water Runoff

Improving Coastal Water Quality by Addressing Polluted Storm Water Runoff

Storm water pours more contaminants into California's coastal waters than any other source of pollution. Rainfall, sprinkler and irrigation systems, and other sources of water flow over streets, buildings, yards, golf courses, parking lots, and other “hardscapes,” picking up pollutants and dumping them directly into our storm drains, which then transport the wastes untreated to our lakes, rivers, streams and ocean. Storm water carries trash, oil, pesticides, dirt and other pollutants to the waterways we use for fishing, swimming, and drinking.

The federal Clean Water Act and state law require California to control pollutants in storm water. However, these laws are not implemented fully or consistently throughout the state. A panel of storm water experts found that numeric limits on storm water pollutants are essential to fixing the state’s current regulatory system, which fails to protect our water quality. 

Storm water capture and reuse is one of the most sustainable and low-energy water supply strategies available to California, and is more cost-effective than desalination or dams.  By advancing the use of low-impact, “green” infrastructure and development patterns that slow storm water flow and allow it to sink and recharge basins, California will achieve the dual benefits of sustainable, low-energy water supplies and fewer contaminated waterways.  This approach, known as “low-impact development” (LID), mimics natural processes to maintain the natural hydrology of an area, significantly reducing the level of storm water-caused pollution and increasing storm water recharge. Watch a video by the San Francisco Estuary Institute to learn more about the innovative techniques cities are using to reduce runoff.

CCKA Is Taking Action

As an appointee to the State Water Board’s (SWRCB) Storm Water Advisory Task Force (SWATF), created pursuant to AB 739 (Laird), CCKA directed development of SWRCB’s Proposition 84 storm water grant guidelines to focus tens of millions in bond funding on LID techniques to reduce pollution and increase opportunities for storm water recharge/reuse. 

CCKA drafted a letter that the SWATF sent to DWR on DWR’s bond guidelines, which affect hundreds of millions in potential storm water funds. The Ocean Protection Council adopted similar language drafted by CCKA in their LID Resolution.  CCKA augmented these advocacy efforts with its own letter to DWR, co-signed by NRDC and Heal the Bay, requesting that the DWR prioritize and coordinate the use of its Proposition 84 and Proposition 1E funds.  As a result of this advocacy, many millions in DWR bond funding will now help to maximize storm water pollution and flow control through LID.

CCKA led the conservation community in ensuring that the 2009 State Water Board construction storm water permit included improved water quality protection provisions, including enforceable, numeric limits on pollutants, as well as mandates for protecting the natural hydrology of the state’s watersheds through LID techniques.  CCKA conducts similar activities for regional municipal storm water permits, in close coordination with member Waterkeepers and other NGOs.

In 2011, CCKA is advocating for strong statewide controls on storm water when the SWRCB takes up the industrial storm water permit, CalTrans storm water permit, and "Phase II" municipal storm water permit (for smaller municipalities).  Find the status of a regional municipal storm water permit in your area by clicking on your region and then looking for “storm water.”

The CalTrans storm water permit renewal package has been released for public review;  CCKA, with co-signer Heal the Bay, has submitted a comment letter advocating for stronger permit language. The Industrial storm water permit renewal package has also been released for public comment, and CCKA again provided detailed legal and technical comments.  In October, CCKA testified before the Senate Select Committee on California Job Creation and Retention regarding the three statewide stormwater permits and their necessity in a poor economy.  CCKA will continue to work with partner NGOs to ensure that the Water Board adopts a strong stormwater permits that protect our waterways, particularly along the coast.

CCKA strengthens its fight against storm water-caused pollution by working to improve enforcement of water quality laws, developing statewide controls on sewage spills, promoting a strong legislative agenda in Sacramento, and encouraging assertive action by U.S. EPA to address this significant pollution source.