Rain washes oil, trash, paint, pet waste, gardening products, soaps and household chemicals into storm drains, which lead straight to our local waterways.
Welcome to the North Coast Stormwater Coalition website. Formed in 2004, the Coalition is a partnership of local government agencies, non-profit organizations, and community members. The primary goal of the North Coast Stormwater Coalition is to reduce stormwater pollution in local streams, rivers, Humboldt Bay and the ocean through public education and outreach, coordinating pollution prevention efforts and implementing pollution control measures.
FREE public workshop:
Stormwater-Safe Vehicle Maintenance and Repair
November 12th 2008
Click for the FLYER, AGENDA or Pre-Registration FORM
(for other local workshops and volunteer events click on the 'Events' linkon the tool bar)
To report stormwater pollution in Humboldt County,
call our Stormwater Hotline:
1-877-NCSC-001
(1-877-627-2001)
All of us know that water pollution can originate from sources such as an industrial discharge or a sewage treatment plant. In years past, these discharges were the main sources of water pollution, and much has been done to clean up these "point sources" of pollution.
What many people don't realize, however, is that these days, "nonpoint source" pollution—which originates from many diffuse sources all over our watershed—is the main cause of water pollution in our coastal waters. One of the major contributors to nonpoint source pollution is stormwater runoff—water that runs off our yards, streets, parking lots, and buildings.
Water from storms (and from outdoor activities such as watering your yard) picks up sediments and contaminants as it runs off the streets and landscape. This polluted runoff —also called "stormwater pollution"—is channeled into the storm drain system that empties directly into our creeks and sloughs, which flow to Humboldt Bay and the ocean. Storm drains are separate from our sewer systems, so stormwater flows into our coastal waterways UNTREATED!
Stormwater runoff would be very expensive to treat. Treatment facilities would have to be very large to treat peak storm flows, and the facilities would sit unused for long periods of time. The best way to improve stormwater quality is to start at the source—don't let runoff get polluted in the first place.
(for frequently asked questions, click HERE)
Humboldt Stormwater News
Soapy runoff from car washes can harm water quality. Still, there's no problem with keeping your car clean! How and where you wash it can make a big difference.
If you can, go to a commercial car wash. They are equipped with drains which take water to be treated. If you do wash your car at home, use biodegradable soaps sparingly, and save water with a hose nozzle. When you're done, pour your bucket of water down an indoor drain instead of outside. Wash your car on grass or gravel to help the ground naturally filter the water.
Are you planning to hold a fundraising car wash this summer?
The City of Fortuna has a car wash kit groups can check out which diverts soapy water to a sanitary sewer input. Call (707) 725-1464 and ask Angie for more information. Are you in Arcata, Eureka, McKinleyville, or Shelter Cove? Check back here for updates on car wash fundraising options for your area!