Water Quality Tips for Businesses
Stormwater Best Practices Management for Businesses
What is a Watershed?
A watershed is a basin-like landform that collects water whenever it rains or snows. Through gravity, water is channeled into soils, groundwater, creeks, streams, lakes and eventually drains into larger bodies of water such as the rivers and eventually the ocean.
The important thing to remember is that we all live in a watershed and whatever we do to the land affects water quality of the all communities living downstream. Water is a universal solvent and is affected by the land it travels across and the soil that it travels through.
The City of Irvine happens to be in the Newport Bay Watershed, which includes the San Diego Creek (a flood control channel). San Diego Creek is the main tributary that drains into Upper Newport Bay. Smaller tributaries include Serrano Creek, Borrego Canyon Wash, Agua Chinon Wash, Bee Canyon Wash, Peters Canyon Wash, Sand Canyon Wash, Bonita Canyon Creek and the Santa Ana Delhi Channel.
Surf Your Watershed
The Surf Your Watershed section of the EPA website allows you to find information and resources -such as environmental groups involved with the watershed, impaired waterways, data relaying pollution levels, etc.
What can my business do to prevent stormwater pollution?
One of the most common types of pollution from businesses is contaminated water runoff, usually from cleaning and maintenance activities. Simple Best Management Practices (BMPs) can prevent stormwater pollution, and it’s good business practice to show your clients and customers your concern for your local community and the environment.
Educational Materials
Review the list of materials below for more information on how your business can prevent Stormwater pollution. For a list of additional brochures, please click here.
Automotive Industry
Automotive fluids such as oil, grease and anti-freeze along with other harmful materials-like asbestos worn from brake linings and zinc from tires-significantly degrade water quality when they make it into waterways. Along with being an issue for public safety, these materials are detrimental to marine life.
Click here for stormwater pollution prevention brochures for the automotive industry.
Carpet Cleaning
If disposed of improperly, toxic chemicals and discharged waste water from carpet, drapery, furniture and window can make their way into the stormdrain system and eventually our waterways. Use these tips when cleaning carpets. These guidelines apply even if the cleaning products are labeled “nontoxic” or “biodegradable.” Although these products may be less harmful to the environment, they can still have harmful effects if they enter the stormdrain system untreated. Click here for pollution prevention brochures for carpet cleaning.
Commercial Landscape Maintenance
When it rains, any yard waste, fertilizer or chemicals such as pesticides used in landscape maintenance that are swept into the stormdrain system can lead to waterways like the ocean. Grass clippings and other plant waste can clog the stormdrain system, while lawn and garden chemicals can have adverse affects on marine life and water quality. Click here for stormwater pollution prevention brochures for landscaping.
Food Service Industry
Food waste, grease, cleaning fluids, mop water and trash from restaurant operations often make their way into the stormdrain system and do not get treated before flowing into local waterways. Click here for stormwater pollution prevention brochures for the food industry.
General Industrial and Manufacturing Businesses
If you own, manage or help operate a business, especially an industrial or manufacturing company, you can help reduce stormwater pollution. From environmentally friendly cleaning and maintenance activities, to recycling hazardous waste materials, businesses can do their part to prevent stormwater pollution. Click here for stormwater pollution prevention brochures for general industrial and manufacturing businesses.
Mobile Businesses
Mobile businesses are integral to our community and like other businesses need to properly dispose of their waste products. Click here for the stormwater pollution prevention brochure related to mobile businesses.
Mobile Vehicle Maintenance
In the cleaning and maintenance of vehicles, many products used, along with the wastewater produced, are toxic and must be disposed of properly.
Click here for stormwater pollution prevention brochures related to mobile vehicle maintenance.
For more documents related to Best Management Practices, visit the Stormwater section of the Orange County Watersheds Program.
Pollution Reporting and Additional Resources
Water Pollution Complaint Hotline
In Irvine:
To report a malfunctioning sprinkler or other errant irrigation issues: (949) 724-7600
In the County of Orange:
To report illegal dumping of toxic waste, toxic waste spills, or clogged catch basins:
(877) 89-SPILL or (877) 897-7455
County of Orange, OC Watersheds
Orange County Stormwater Program
(877) 89-SPILL or (877) 897-7455 or visit www.ocwatersheds.com
Orange County Stormwater Program
24 Hour Water Pollution Reporting Hotline
(877) 89-SPILL or (877) 897-7455
Orange County Health Care Agency Environmental Health
(714) 433-6419 or visit www.ochealthinfo.com
Regional Water Quality Control Board
Santa Ana Region
(951) 782-4130 or visit www.waterboards.ca.gov
California Office of Emergency Services
(800) 852-7550 or visit www.oes.ca.gov
