Striving to meet new California standards for storm drains
The Redding Storm Drain Utility, part of the Public Works Department, gave an informative talk to SEA and the public at a meeting on October 1. Mieke Sheffield, Storm Water Management Program Coordinator, reviewed new California standards for cities with populations over 10,000. By 2030, all storm drains must capture waste larger than 5 mm, roughly the size of a cigarette butt.
The program is evolving as the necessary equipment is still being developed. Mieke Sheffield presented a PowerPoint, while Storm Drains Supervisor Dave Jackson shared field insights. The city first identified high-trash areas like industrial zones, retail spots, fast food areas, and apartment complexes through visual inspections. These areas are targeted for education, with businesses urged to keep dumpsters closed and provide extra trash cans. If necessary, repeated visits and fines may follow.
Special cages must be installed in storm drains to capture debris larger than 5 mm, while allowing overflow during peak storms. The city is gradually implementing these cages to find the best solutions, aiming to meet state standards by 2030.
City crews have found unusual items like gas filters and other car parts and in one instance at one curbside storm drain catch basin crews found over 30 bags of dog poop. Apparently someone thought they were helping by putting their dog poop in a bag, not knowing it could end up in the river. Pollutants from storm drains ultimately flow into local streams and the Sacramento River, underscoring the importance of keeping them clean.
SEA has visited various Redding facilities, learning how the city operates. Participants have found that city employees are dedicated and proud of their work, reflecting positively on city management and Human Resources.
Washing cars in driveways sends harmful soap into the river which fish can absorb through their gills as they filter oxygen out of the water. People should wash their cars on lawns to avoid polluting waterways. Similarly, draining swimming pools into storm drains is illegal due to the harmful chemicals that can end up in rivers.
Debris from homeless camps is not regulated unless it enters storm drains, where it can easily pollute waterways. The new state regulations also present funding challenges, as municipalities must cover costs like the cages and a new $500,000 drain-cleaning truck. Total implementation of this plan over many years will run into the millions.
One problem for municipalities is that the new state regulations do not come with funding. They have to buy the new cages and for Redding one new special drain cleaning truck at a cost of over one-half million dollars.