Stormwater Management

Stormwater and Water Quality Inspections 

The City of Claremont is required to perform inspections of applicable businesses every two years to comply with the Los Angeles Regional Municipal Stormwater Permit, Order No. R4-2021-0105. Industrial and commercial facilities in Claremont that have the potential to impact water quality will receive a letter with information on the inspection program and requirements. These businesses include restaurants and other businesses such as gas stations, automotive repair shops, dry cleaning services, and businesses engaged in industrial activities.

The City’s consultant will contact businesses to schedule inspections. The inspector will look at the business’s current practices to prevent and minimize impacts to water quality and will make suggestions for improvements if necessary. Businesses with significant compliance issues will be subject to a follow up inspection.

Industry specific informational brochures may be found at the links below.

If you have questions on the inspection program or the City’s Municipal Stormwater Permit, please contact the City’s Engineering Division at (909) 399-5465.

 

List of Best Management Practices

Auto Services

Swimming Pools

Developer Handbook

Downspout-Disconnect Program

Food Services

Car Wash Fundraisers

Pet Waste

BMP ICFCP

Gardening

 

Safe, Clean Water is Up to Us!

By practicing storm water best management practices (bmp’s), homeowners and residents can help keep common household pollutants off the ground and out of our storm drains. Please adopt these healthy household habits to keep storm drains, local streams, and the ocean clean.

Painting

Paints and solvents contain chemicals that are harmful to aquatic life. Toxic chemicals can come from liquid or solid products or from cleaning residues on rags. It is especially important to prevent these chemicals from entering the storm drain system.

Painting Cleanup

  • Clean out painting equipment in an area where the waste can be contained and properly disposed of.
  • Never clean brushes or rinse paint containers into the street, catch basins or storm drain. Paint out brushes to the maximum extent possible, then rinse in a sink.
  • When thoroughly dry, used brushes, empty paint cans (lids off), rags and drop cloths may be disposed of in the residential trash.

Paint Removal

  • Chemical paint stripping residue, including saturated rags, is a hazardous waste and should be taken to the Claremont City Yard or a local Household Hazardous Waste event.
  • Paint chips and dust should be swept up and disposed of in the residential trash.

Paint Recycling

  • Reuse leftover paint for touch-ups or recycle it at the Claremont City Yard or a local Household Hazardous Waste event, where it can be recycled.

Construction & Remodeling

  • Keep all construction debris away from the street, gutter and storm drain. Look for and clean-up material that may have traveled away from your property.
  • Keep materials out of the rain by storing them indoors or outdoors with a secure roof or plastic sheeting.
  • Limit grading and excavation activities to dry weather.
  • Plant fast-growing annual and perennials to help prevent erosion.

 

Gardening Tips

Landscaping and garden maintenance activities can be a major source of storm water pollution.  Common examples of these pollutants include nutrients (from fertilizers) and bacteria (from fertilizers and household pets).  These chemicals not only kill garden invaders, they also harm useful insects, poison fish, and contaminate local waterways and ocean water.  Leaves, grass clippings and tree trimmings that are swept or mown into the street and gutters are also ocean polluters.  These wastes clog catch basins, increasing the risk of flooding on your street.  As it decomposes, this “green waste” uses up oxygen in the water that fish and other aquatic organisms need to survive. 

Here are some helpful tips to keep storm water from your residence or business as clean as possible!

  • Do not over water.
  • Set sprinklers to only water the intended area; not the street or sidewalk.
  • Install irrigation systems equipped with rain sensors.
  • Conserve water by using drip irrigation soaker hoses, or micro-spray systems, and mulch planting beds to retain moisture.
  • Leave all landscaping waste in approved green waste containers for pick-up and composting.
  • Do not blow or rake leaves in to the street, parkways, gutters or storm drains.
  • Use organic or non-toxic fertilizers.
  • Do not over fertilize and do not fertilize near storm drain inlets, or near paved areas that may carry runoff to storm drain inlets.

For additional information or questions regarding storm water best management practices, please contact the Engineering Division at (909) 399-5465.

 

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