Clean Ocean Program
San Clemente's 24 Hour Pollution Reporting Hotline is (949) 366-1553
Did you know?
San Clemente encompasses all or part of three large watersheds -- Prima Deshecha, Segunda Deshecha, and San Mateo - and several smaller ones that drain to the ocean through coastal canyons.
Within each watershed, the City maintains a storm drain system that was designed to collect only rainwater for discharge into the Pacific Ocean. Unlike the sewage from our homes and businesses, stormwater is NOT treated before entering the ocean. When it picks up trash and pollutants on its way to the beach, it can cause water quality issues where we surf, swim, and play, and where the ocean provides habitats for local marine life.
Stormwater isn't the only contributor to ocean water quality problems: Urban runoff, which is water contributed to the storm drain system from things like irrigation system leaks or overuse, residential car washing, and garden hose use, can also deliver bacteria and other pollutants straight to the ocean. Illicit non-stormwater discharges into the gutter and storm drain can also include even more detrimental pollutants such as paint, used motor oil, and recreational vehicle wastewater.
What is the City doing?
Since 2003, the Clean Ocean Program has improved ocean water quality and kept our beaches clean by preventing stormwater and urban runoff pollution from entering our storm drains and polluting the ocean through the following programs:
- Sweeping public residential streets twice per month and major streets and business areas three times per week.
- Conducting annual inspections at commercial, industrial, and construction sites to ensure they are following Best Management Practices (BMPs) to protect water quality from likely pollutants.
- Requiring appropriate water quality BMPs in all new or re-development project plans and construction.
- Conducting water quality testing, examining samples to help identify potential problem areas, and monitoring progress through time.
- Responding to calls at our 24-hour phone line, (949) 366-1553, to quickly address large spills or illegal discharges on City streets.
- Hosting beach clean-ups, educational events, and school presentations throughout the year.
- Maintaining, and developing new, capital improvement projects designed specifically to improve water quality at trouble spots within our beaches.
What can you do?
1) Prevent urban runoff in your neighborhood, especially over-irrigation (check your controller use shorter cycles to allow water to soak in).
2) Properly dispose of fats, oils, and grease from your kitchen in your green organics bin, not the drain, to avoid sewer blockages that ultimately lead to spills.
2) Plan development projects that meet water quality requirements.
3) Report any sources of pollution you observe by calling (949) 366-1553 for spills or (949) 366-4705 for Stormwater Runoff Control Ordinance violations, including over-irrigation.
4) Check out www.h2oc.org/events to mark your calendar for fun clean ocean events, including:
- San Clemente's Annual Earth Day Event: April 20, 2024, 8 am - 12 pm at the San Clemente Pier