Storm Water Division

The Storm Water Division maintains and repairs the City’s storm drainage system including storm drains and catch basins.

Storm Drain Pollution

Even though you may live miles from the San Joaquin Delta or the San Francisco Bay, you may be polluting those waters without knowing it.  When you pour motor oil, antifreeze, paint, fertilizer, pesticides, trash, and/or household chemicals in to the gutter, it flows in to the groundwater and eventually in to the Delta and the Bay.

Dumping just one quart of motor oil in to a storm drain can pollute 250,000 gallons of water and kill or sicken thousands of fish, birds, and other animals.

Other items thrown in to the storm drains like disposable cups, plastic water bottles, ice cream wrappers and sticks, also cause potential problems by clogging storm drain lines which in turn back up in to the streets causing flooding.  Never use a storm drain as a garbage can!  It is designed for rain water run-off and flows from your neighborhood to the Stanislaus River on the north side of Riverbank.

Please treat household hazardous wastes responsibly; take advantage of recycling opportunities.  Never pour motor oil on the ground, on the driveway, or into the gutters and storm drains.  Leftover soapy carwash water should be poured in the toilet or sink; or wash your car over your lawn as the soapy water won’t harm the grass.  Rinse paintbrushes in the sink, this water travels through the sewer pipes to the Wastewater Treatment Plant, where the water runs through a series of treatments and aeration ponds before being returned to the River.   Sweep your driveway and walkways instead of hosing them down with water.

Helping to keep our rivers and streams healthy, helps keep the Delta and Bay healthy, too!

Storm Water Pollution Solutions

Did you know a sewer system and a storm drain system are not the same?  These two systems are completely different.  The water that goes down the sink or toilet in your home or business flows to the Wastewater Treatment Plant where it is treated and filtered.  Water that flows down driveways and streets in to a gutter leading directly to a nearby river, lake, or to the underground water table is a storm drain system.  This water may pick up pollutants along the way that are never treated.  Keeping the storm drains clean and free from hazardous contamination such as motor oil, paints, pet waste, and pesticides is critical.

Share this knowledge with others: 

• Monitor your storm drain and remove any debris that may clog it, such as leaves and grass clippings.
• Don't dump waste in storm drains.
• Recycle used oil.  Call Kragen's Auto Parts at 209-869-0650, and ask about their recycling program for used oil.
• Sweep driveways clean and remove spills with absorbent material - Don't hose it off!
• Dispose of household chemicals properly.  Follow the directions on the package or call Hazardous Waste at 209-525-4123.
• Don't over water or allow garden pesticides to wash into the street.

If you have more questions, please call the Public Works Department at 209-869-7128.