WATER QUALITY PROTECTION PROGRAM
As Cities develop, increasing amounts of asphalt, concrete and other impervious surfaces blanket the once pervious landscape. As such, Cities are forced to install conveyance systems that direct the flow of water away from our streets to prevent flooding. This storm water conveyance system sends water from our streets directly to the nearest creek, river, lake, lagoon, and eventually to the ocean. Although directing water away from our populated areas prevents flooding and damage to our building, it causes many environmental problems.
Chief among the environmental problems, caused by storm drains, is the transportation of harmful pollutants from our streets directly into our waterways. Whenever water enters a storm drain, it carries pollutants that lie on our streets, examples include: automobile and equipment motor oil, bacteria from pet waste, dirt or sediments from eroded areas, chemicals from cleaning solutions, metals from automobiles, trash from litterbugs, fertilizers and pesticides from landscaped areas, and a host of other harmful pollutants.
Over time, these pollutants have negatively affected the water quality and habitats of our local watersheds. Since watersheds end their journey at our beaches, you may be swimming in many of these pollutants! Thus, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) amended the Federal Clean Water Act, in 1990, to include storm water pollution as an area of concern and regulation. From this amendment, California developed the Porter-Cologne Water Quality Act to protect the water quality of local watersheds and beaches. This act created the Regional Water Quality Control Boards and the subsequent Municipal Storm Water Permit regulations placed upon San Diego County.
To comply with these regulations, and protect the health, safety and welfare of our residents and environment, the City of Vista has developed the Water Quality Protection Program to oversee many different activities that help prevent, control, and treat storm water pollution. A few of the programmatic areas include: yearly commercial and industrial business inspections, illegal discharge detection and elimination program, water quality monitoring, public education, construction site erosion and sediment control inspections, development and review of watershed-related land development guidelines, and special events to encourage residential participation.
Contact Person
Paul Hartman, Stormwater Program Manager, (760) 726-1340 x 1373
e-mail: phartman@cityofvista.com
For more information about specific program areas, click on the link below:
Construction Site Erosion Control Compliance Information
Commercial and Industrial Business Compliance Information
Jurisdictional Urban Runoff Management Plan
Storm Water Pollution Prevention Tips for Vista Residents