The rainy season brings more than gray skies to San Mateo County. It also brings an increase in water pollution. The San Mateo Countywide Water Pollution Prevention Program (SMCWPPP) is reminding residents to help reduce pollution during rainy season to protect our creeks, stormwater systems and local watershed.
“The first heavy rains of the season wash pollutants, like motor oil, litter and pesticides off our streets and roads and send them into local waters, ” explains Matt Fabry, Program Coordinator for SMCWPPP. “The good news is that there are things residents can do to help reduce water pollution during the rainy season.”
A few things you can do to prevent water pollution this season:
- Check your vehicles for leaks! Even a small leak can have a big impact. One gallon of oil can contaminate 1,000,000 gallons of water.
- If you see litter, pick it up! A bottle or food wrapper on the ground is unsightly; when rains wash litter down storm drains, these items pollute local waters.
- Don’t spray pesticides around the perimeter of your home, especially when rain is in the forecast.
For more tips on how you can prevent water pollution, visit www.flowstobay.org and www.BayWise.org. SMCWPPP is a program of the City/County Association of Governments of San Mateo County (C/CAG).
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