Storm Water Management Program

Read about UCSD's Storm Water Management Program and best management practices to prevent or reduce potential discharge of pollutants into UCSD storm drains.

UCSD's Storm Water Management Program aims to prevent or reduce the discharge of pollutants from outdoor activities into storm drains.

Only rain down storm drains

All outdoor drains are storm drains and are meant only for rain. Everything that flows into a UCSD storm drain goes untreated directly into nearby waterways such as the Pacific Ocean, Rose Canyon Creek, and Los Peñasquitos Lagoon. Pollutants picked up by storm water can prevent recreational use of waterways and harm the habitat for fish, other aquatic organisms, and wildlife.

• Report non-storm water discharges into UCSD storm drains to Environment, Health & Safety, (858) 534-3660. Anything that discharges into a storm drain that is not composed entirely of storm water is a non-storm water discharge (e.g., irrigation water runoff, clean tap water).

Best management practices (BMPs)

UCSD's BPMs apply to outdoor activities at UCSD facilities that may potentially release pollutants into storm drains:

• Review UCSD's Storm Water Pollution Prevention Best Management Practices.
• Follow BMPs that apply to your activities.

Common pollutants addressed in the BMPs:

• Oil and grease from roadways and parking lots
• Wash water from outdoor cleaning activities
• Pesticides and fertilizers from grounds maintenance
• Sediment from construction sites and erosion
• Discarded trash such as cigarette butts, paper wrappers, and plastic bottles
• Metals from roadway runoff (e.g., tires and brake pads) and aerial deposition
• Bacteria

Contractor and visitor responsibilities

Contractors, service providers, and non-employee visitors at UCSD are responsible for reviewing the UCSD Storm Water Pollution Prevention Best Management Practices Handbook (PDF) to ensure outdoor work activities, equipment, and materials storage practices do not result in a discharge to a storm drain, and will not introduce pollutants to storm water flows during a rain event.

Stormwater pollution prevention requirements

• Do not discharge anything into a storm drain, including clean tap water. Only rain is permitted in a storm drain.
• Keep outdoor work and storage areas clean and orderly.
• Cover or protect storm drain inlets from outdoor work activities as needed.
• Maintain spill control and cleanup materials and clean up outdoor spills immediately.
• Do not store machinery, equipment, or vehicles over storm drains.
• Keep outdoor trash cans and bins closed.
• If water is used to clean, do not allow wash water to get into a storm drain.
• Fueling activities must be overseen by the equipment operator at all times.
• Use drip pans under leaking equipment.

Get the word out

Print a SWMP brochure and clean water flyer for distribution:

• SWMP brochure (PDF) Note: Set your printer on landscape orientation. Double-sided printing is preferred.
• Be A Clean Water Leader at UCSD! (PDF)

Notice: Disposal of hazardous waste using sinks, intentional evaporation, or as regular trash is against the law. Campus laboratories must abide by strict state and federal waste disposal requirements. You may be held liable for violations of applicable laws.

Safety

Environmental Protection

• Formerly Used Defense Site at UCSD
• Sewer System Management Plan
• Storm Water Management Program
  • Best Management Practices