Department Spotlight - DPW Stormwater

Did you know the San Dieguito Watershed Water Quality Improvement Plan identifies bacteria as a priority pollutant?

The County’s Watershed Protection Program (WPP) works to protect local waterways by preventing pollutants from entering the County’s storm drain system. One way that WPP advances this mission is through the implementation of green infrastructure projects throughout the County.

The stormwater program is different from other construction projects on the County’s Capital Plan. It’s mandated by the State through a stormwater permit issued by the Regional Water Quality Control Board. This drives the County to reduce pollution in watersheds where an unincorporated footprint exists by delivering projects that reduce pollution like trash, bacteria and other contaminants from stormwater runoff.

The recent 4S Ranch Park Biofiltration project incorporates green infrastructure elements like a biofiltration basin and drainage improvements that together capture and treat runoff from approximately 1.2 acres of previously untreated drainage area. And the Goldentop Road Water Quality Improvement project includes a trash capture device capable of removing nearly 1,000 gallons of trash from local waterways.

To learn more about these and other stormwater projects, click here.