Sunnyvale has two separate sewer systems: the sanitary sewer system and the storm drain system.
Medications are considered hazardous waste and should not to be flushed down toilets or drains, or put in the garbage. Water treatment plants are limited in their ability to remove medications from waste water and even small traces of common medications can harm aquatic organisms.
For proper medication disposal, see How to Get Rid of Anything.
Whatever goes down a storm drain flows directly - without treatment - into local waterways and eventually into the ocean, threatening water quality for humans and wildlife.
Residential pesticides used by homeowners and pest control services run off into storm drains during rain, or when you water your yard, and are the primary sources of pollution. Other common pollutants are motor oil, paints, grass clippings, fertilizers, litter and pet waste.
You can choose alternative products and best management practices (BMPs) to protect our environment.
Learn about protecting our creeks and watershed
Make sure your business is doing its part to help keep the Bay clean, and avoid fines by educating yourself and training your employees about best practices for preventing water pollution.
Help your school learn how to prevent water pollution with a presentation by a speaker from the City's Environmental Outreach Program.
Email us or call 408-730-7717