Prevent Storm Water Pollution

When rain or water from garden
 hoses and sprinklers flows over
our streets and yards, pollutants
(motor oil, antifreeze, pesticides,
paint, yard clippings, pet waste,
etc.) can enter our storm drains.
Unfortunately, in most places
whatever goes down a storm
drain flows directly – without
treatment – into local lakes,
creeks, streams, rivers and
eventually to the ocean,
threatening water quality for
humans and wildlife.

RECYCLE Used Motor Oil and
Filters. Never put MOTOR OIL
in the trash or pour it on the
ground, or down a storm drain.
Each year more than 180 million
gallons of motor oil is dumped
illegally. That is 16 times the
amount spilled by the
Exxon Valdez!
 
The City of Alhambra offers residents FREE, easy-to-use oil recycling containers for collecting used motor oil with proof of residency. They are available at the Utilities Customer Service Center,  68 S. First St., Mon.-Thurs., 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m., and Fri., 8 a.m.-5 p.m. The containers have been specifically designed to collect motor oil and are superior to other devices such as plastic bottles  used for bleach, cleaners or other automobile fluids, (i.e., antifreeze). These types of containers can contain residues that contaminate the oil. Paint cans and other metal containers, or containers used for gasoline should also be avoided. After you collect the oil, take it (and your used filters) to a Certified Used Oil Collection Center in the City of Alhambra: 

• Auto Zone, 1100 Commonwealth Ave. (626) 284-7096
• Bob Wondries Ford, 400 S. Atlantic Blvd., (626) 289-3591
• Jiffy Lube, 1332 S. Fremont Ave., (626) 570-0280
• Firestone Store, 837 E. Main St., (626) 282-9184
• Firestone Store, 2100 W. Main St., (626) 576-0019
• Kragen Auto Parts, 800 E. Valley Blvd., (626) 570-8998
• Wondries Toyota, 1543 W. Main St., (626) 289-8000
• Y Tire Sales, 2969 W. Valley Blvd., (626) 570-1113

APPLY SPARINGLY -- Pesticides and fertilizers can be harmful to our environment!
They contain products that promote algae growth in local waterways. Abundant algae growth suffocates aquatic life. As the algae decomposes, it depletes the oxygen level in the water. All aquatic life needs oxygen. Try using nontoxic alternatives for pest control. If you must use chemicals, apply sparingly and do not apply when rain is forecast. Take unwanted leftovers to a household hazardous waste collection center, and never throw those products in the trash. To find the nearest permanent waste collection location and dates and times of upcoming collection events in L.A. County, contact the Los Angeles County Department of Public Works at (888) CLEAN-LA. 

Take UNWANTED PAINT to a Household Hazardous Waste Roundup or collection center.
If you're using latex water-based paints, you can wash your brushes directly in your kitchen or bathroom sink. Don't let paint contaminated water end up in the storm drains. Remember, storm drains flow directly without treatment into local waterways. If you must use oil-based paints, handle cleanup properly and take cleaning solvents and unwanted paints to a household hazardous waste roundup or collection center.  

Pick up ANIMAL WASTE and dispose of it in your trash bin. 
Animal waste contains harmful bacteria and organisms that can spread serious diseases if allowed to reach the storm drain system. Pick up animal waste; seal it in a bag, and dispose of it in trash cans.  

Reduce time and money on yard work by GRASS-CYCLING or COMPOSTING.
Yard and grass clippings cloud the water and block out sunlight that is essential to aquatic life. Grass-cycling or composting is a great way to keep yard waste out of the storm drain and it's easy and fun too! Instead of disposing of grass and other yard clippings in your yard waste container, leave the clippings on the lawn after mowing. They will quickly decompose, returning nutrients to the soil. Grass-cycling makes caring for your lawn easier, and will not cause thatch. You can reduce mowing time by as much as 50 percent because you don't have to bag or dispose of clippings. In addition, grass-cycling can save you money. Leaving clippings on the lawn reduces the lawn's water loss and its need for fertilizer. Less water and fertilizer application saves you money. Grass-cycling also saves valuable landfill space. Yard trimmings make up the largest single component of California's municipal waste. The average California lawn generates 300 to 400 pounds of grass clippings per 1,000 square feet annually. This can be as much as eight tons per acre each year!

Call the City IMMEDIATELY if you see someone dumping HAZARDOUS WASTE into a storm drain or find substances of a hazardous nature (such as oil and chemicals) that have been dumped on the ground or into a storm drain. The number to call is (626) 570-5061 during regular business hours. If you need to call after normal business hours or a weekend, contact the Alhambra Police Department at (626) 570-5168.

Alhambra Business Inspection Program to Eliminate Discharge Pollutants
To minimize the hazards of storm drain pollution, the Utilities Department (in accordance with National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System regulations) inspects industrial plants, auto body shops, gas stations, restaurants and other businesses to eliminate non-stormwater discharges, and to ensure that the best management practices are being implemented to decrease the potential for pollutants entering the City's storm drain system. For more information on this program, click here.

Related Websites:

Los Angeles County Stormwater Program / www.888cleanla.com
Erase the Waste Public Education Campaign
Pre- and Post-Storm Related Concerns