The City of Pinole is a co-permittee in the Contra Costa County's Clean Water Program. As such we are bound by the federal legislation entitled the National Pollution Discharge Elimination Systems (NPDES) act and the Clean Water Act. Development Analysts monitor compliance issues related to our NPDES permit, such as commercial business, construction site and private discharges. Remember that only clean water should run into storm inlets. Water that enters the storm system is not treated before it is discharged to the Bay or other water bodies of the state.
More information on Contra Costa County's Clean Water Program's project compliance guidelines can be found on their website at www.cccleanwater.org under New Development/C.3 in the Stormwater C.3 Guidebook. City of Pinole sections can be found in Appendix A and Appendix K.
Refer to these documents for best management practices
Auto Facilities
Construction
Landscaping, Pools, and Spas
Parking Lots
Residents
Restaurants
Working together we can protect our environment and find proper ways to dispose of waste. Visit Household Waste & Recycling for more information on this important topic.
For more helpful information on Stormwater Management, visit the Bay Area Stormwater Management Agencies Association (BASMAA) website.
In general the City of Pinole maintains all storm drain structures and piping except v-ditches that are located on private property. During winter storms, flooding can occur because concrete v-ditches are not properly maintained. Before and during the rainy season, clear all debris out of v-ditches on your property. Keeping v-ditches clear of debris allows water running downhill to flow away from your property and your neighbors without causing erosion damage. When a v-ditch is clogged, the buildup of dirt and leaves may prevent water from flowing into the drain when it rains or when outside water is used for watering gardens or washing cars. If you have any questions about storm drains or v-ditches, please call the Public Works Department at (510) 724-9010.
KEEPING PINOLE CREEK CLEAN
The Friends of Pinole Creek Watershed (FOPCW) is a community organization dedicated to protecting and enhancing the Pinole Creek Watershed and to improving the health of San Pablo Bay. Their goal is to raise public awareness about Pinole Creek and its watershed, restore Pinole Creek's in-stream and riparian habitats, and add to the quality of life for the residents of Pinole, Hercules and the surrounding communities.
Through community outreach, meetings, events, and hands-on projects, FOPCW creates a sense of personal and community stewardship for local and natural resources and provides the support citizens need to take effective action to improve water quality.
NEW NPDES C.3 REQUIREMENT
In February 2003, the California Regional Water Quality Control Boards for the San Francisco Bay Region and the Central Valley Region revised Provision "C.3" in the NPDES permit governing discharges from the municipal storm drain systems of Contra Costa County and cities and towns within the County. The permit provision was phased in from 2004 through 2006.
The "C.3" requirements are separate from, and in addition to, requirements for erosion and sediment control and for pollution prevention measures during construction.
Project site designs must minimize the area of new roofs and paving. Where feasible, pervious surfaces should be used instead of paving so that runoff can percolate to the underlying soil. Runoff from impervious areas must be captured and treated. The permit specifies ways to calculate the required size of treatment devices.
Projects may also be required to detain or infiltrate runoff so that peak flows and durations match pre-project conditions.
In addition, project applicants must prepare plans and execute agreements to ensure the stormwater treatment and flow-control facilities are maintained in perpetuity.
Through the Contra Costa Clean Water Program, Contra Costa municipalities have prepared a Stormwater C.3 Guidebook to assist applicants through the process of submittals and reviews. The guidebook contains all the needed information for preparing a Stormwater Control Plan (SCP) and an Operations and Maintenance (O & M) Plan with example documents and examples of Low Impact Development (LID) measures.