Storm Water Management Program

Learn how UC San Diego's Storm Water Management Program helps prevent water pollution.

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.

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).

• Report non-storm water discharges into UCSD storm drains:
  • During business hours:
    • Environment, Health & Safety, (858) 534-3660
  • After business hours:
    • UCSD Police: (858) 534-HELP (4357)

UCSD Storm Water Management Plan

UC San Diego's Storm Water Management Plan (PDF) aims to prevent or reduce the potential discharge of pollutants into UCSD storm drains.

The plan describes:

• Pollution prevention requirements (see below)
• Best management practices (BMPs)
  • Source controls for outdoor activities that may release pollutants into storm drains
  • Treatment controls measures implemented to prevent coastal water pollution
• Monitoring locations and constituents analyzed (PDF)
• Emergency spill response procedures

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.

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.

Get the word out

Print a Storm Water Pollution Prevention brochure and clean water flyer for distribution:

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

Regulations and policies

• PPM 516-9, Environmental Pollution
• California Ocean Plan (PDF), State Water Resources Control Board, California Environmental Protection Agency

Note: this page has a friendly link that's easy to remember: http://blink.ucsd.edu/go/stormwater

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

• Air Pollution Control Permits
• Asbestos Control
• Formerly Used Defense Site at UCSD
• Lead-Based Paint
• Oil Spill Prevention, Control, & Countermeasures
• Refrigerant Compliance Program
• Sewer System Management Plan
• Storage Tanks
• Storm Water Management Program
  • Treatment Control Best Management Practices
  • Source Control Best Management Practices