In January 2007, the City of El Cajon and 20 other Copermittees received a renewed storm water permit requiring, amongst other things, protection of our surface waters, pollution prevention, minimization of polluted urban runoff, and the reduction of paved areas to allow natural drainage of urban runoff into the City's storm drain system. Improving the water quality is the ultimate goal of the new storm water permit.The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has determined that urban runoff is one of the main sources of pollution for surface waters. Surface waters include rain that is collected in the storm drain system. This extensive drainage system begins at our homes and businesses, and then flows into the streets, gutters, catch basins, curb inlets, pipes, channels, streams and rivers, eventually reaching the ocean. In other words, as water flows downhill, we as a community must live and do business differently, by considering how our actions affect water quality when it rains and when it does not.
"Only Rain in the Storm Drain"...
is the new motto in the Storm Water Program, a Citywide effort with offices on the fourth floor in City Hall, 200 Civic Center Way in El Cajon. Storm Drains are not connected to a treatment plant. Liquids and materials dumped or accidentally left in the street, sidewalk, or gutter, eventually flows into the San Diego River, polluting the waters that discharge into the Ocean Beach and Mission Beach area and ultimately the Pacific Ocean.
To report an illegal discharge or to ask questions about the County-wide Storm Water Program call: Regional 24-Hour Storm Water HOTline: (888) 846-0800 or the El Cajon Storm Water Protection Program at (619) 441-1653, between 8:00a.m. and 5:00p.m., Monday through Friday. Complaints can also be made by Email via the link: Storm Water
Is Storm Water Pollution a Big Problem in the City of El Cajon?
YES. In San Diego County, million upon millions of gallons of contaminated water and debris drain through the storm drain system each dry-weather day. On rainy days, flows can increase one hundred fold.
What Are the Effects of Storm Water Pollution?
HEALTH: Storm water pollution poses a serious health risk to people swimming or fishing in our streams, bays, or the ocean.
Sewer Master Plan Update
