Pollution Prevention
All sewage coming from the inside of buildings is treated before being discharged to the Bay. However, traces remain of some pollutants that cannot be removed entirely. Do not pour hazardous materials down the drain. Instead, take them to a disposal and/or recycling site. For Sunnyvale residents and businesses, contact the City’s recycling program at (408) 730-7262, TDD (408) 730-7501 for information and details on drop off. For anyone living or working outside of Sunnyvale, contact the County Household Hazardous Waste program at (408) 299-7300 or at HHW.
Rain and water draining from lawns and gardens (runoff) collect contaminants such as pesticides, fertilizers, automotive fluids, pet waste and other debris, and are carried to the storm drain system where the water flows untreated directly to our local creeks and the Bay.
For more detail about pollution prevention and what you can do to help, click on the links located on the left hand side of this page or one of the following:
Good Practices for Car Washing
Less-Toxic Housecleaning
Less-Toxic Pest Management
Get discounts on car washes and other great products and services, and protect the environment, too, with the Watershed Watch Discount Card.
Flush Green
Disposing of anything other than toilet paper in the toilet can cause sewer line blockages and result in Sanitary Sewer Overflows. Rethink what you flush ... Flush Green!
Wipes, even if "disposable" can cause clogs. Watch the Consumer Reports video on disposable wipes at Baywise.
Construction and Demolition Projects
When stormwater drains off of a construction site, it carries sediment and other pollutants that harm our local creeks and the San Francisco Bay. Prevent storm drain pollution during new construction, remodeling or major landscaping projects.
The City of Sunnyvale and the Santa Clara Valley Urban Runoff Pollution Prevention Program developed the following materials to provide information to local residents and businesses on preventing construction-related stormwater pollution:
General Construction and Site Supervision
Home Repair and Remodeling
Fresh Concrete and Mortar
Earthmoving and Dewatering
Landscape Gardening and Maintenance
Paint, Solvents and Adhesives
Roadwork and Paving
Heavy Equipment Operation
Environmental Education
The Environmental Outreach Program at Sunnyvale's Water Pollution Control Plant provides information and education on water pollution prevention to the local community, schools and youth, and to local businesses and industry. Outreach activities include:
Speakers' Bureau
Environmental Fairs
Tours
Classroom Presentations
For more information or to schedule a presentation contact Environmental Outreach at (408) 730-7717, TDD (408) 730-7501.