About WVCWP

	OUR PURPOSE The West Valley Clean Water Program works to: • reduce pollutants in storm drain discharges • comply with State & Federal Clean Water Act regulations • maximize the effectiveness of pollution prevention efforts by the 4 West Valley Communities OUR HISTORY In 1994 four West Valley Communities created WVCWP. They wanted to work together to control discharges of polluted stormwater into local creeks and San Francisco Bay. The WVCWP communities are: •Campbell •Monte Sereno •Saratoga •Los Gatos IMPAIRED WATERS Within the West Valley Communities are the watersheds of these creeks: •Calabazas •Los Gatos •Saratoga •San Tomas Aquino and several smaller, tributary creeks. The State of California has declared some local creeks as impaired waters due to a commonly used household pesticide called diazinon. Impaired waters are a concern throughout the Santa Clara Valley; these concerns are addressed by the Santa Clara Valley Urban Runoff Pollution Prevention Program.


		The South San Francisco Bay, --which these creeks flow into-- is also listed as impaired from pollutants like: --Chlordane --Copper --DDT --Diazinon & Furan compounds --Mercury --Nickel --PCBs --Selenium

WHAT IS OUR PROGRAM DOING?

WVCWP administers an Urban Runoff Management Plan to reduce stormwater pollution. Specific actions include:

• Municipal controls such as storm drain stencilling, storm drain operations & maintenance, street sweeping, street/public facilities maintenance, and Illegal Discharge response.

• Construction and development measures including on-site inspections, grading and erosion controls, and educating developers.

• Commercial and industrial facility inspections to prevent wastes from discharging into the storm drain system.

• Public education activities to increase awareness and change behavior.

TOP KNOWN POLLUTION PROBLEMS
Pollutants in stormwater runoff come from a variety of sources including:

• Pesticides and fertilizers that run off yards and gardens

• Oil, antifreeze, and other automotive fluids on driveways, parking lots and city streets

• Toxic metals and chemical compounds from auto exhaust and wood-burning smoke that deposits directly on the surface of the water during rainfall.

• Household chemicals such as paint thinners, oil and water-based paint, drain cleaners, and pool and spa chemicals

• Soap, dirt and metals from washing vehicles in the driveway or street.

• Detergents from interior cleaning (e.g., carpet and blind cleaning) and exterior cleaning like power-washing and paint removal

• Waste fluids from auto maintenance and repair facilities

• Waste and detergents from retail food facilities

• Bare soil that erodes or blows into the street

Home : About WVCWP : Contact Us : West Valley Watersheds : Stormwater Pollution

Take Action : Program Materials : Links : REPORT Illegal Discharges

Last Updated 6/2002