The District has the responsibility to return only clean, safe water into the waterways around Vallejo. We take our job seriously. The wastewater we clean from the sewer system must be environmentally sound before it is released. A failure in our treatment system would present pollution risks to the general environment and in turn pose a threat to health. Treated wastewater is tested each day of the year to ensure that it meets applicable standards.
Years ago stormwater was not thought of as a source of pollution. Today we know better. Rain picks up pollutants in the air as it falls to the ground. The stormwater then runs over our streets and buildings and collects untold amounts of oil, debris and toxic chemicals. This water then flows untreated into our waterways bringing an abundance of pollutants.

Cleaning stormwater is a challenge for the District. Unlike sewage, stormwater does not travel through pipes to a central treatment plant. The water in our storm system follows thousands of paths as it makes its way back to our waterways. The costs to route this water to a central point and then clean it in a treatment plant would be astronomical.

 

We take a more realistic approach. The District has employees who work to educate the community on the impact of pollution from our storm system. This pollution is called nonpoint source pollution because it really does not have an identifiable place where it begins. The best way to keep our stormwater clean is for everyone to pitch in to keep toxic materials out of the path of water that enters the bay. If we all are careful and responsible, the plants and animals in our waterways will have a much better life.

 

© 2005 Vallejo Sanitation and Flood Control District