The Municipal Regional Stormwater Permit requires businesses to use Best Management Practices (BMPs) to minimize non-stormwater discharges (discharges of anything but rain water to the storm drains) and prevent illicit discharges, like soapy wash water, from harming water quality. CCCWP developed brochures and factsheets to help residents and businesses. View these resources and more below.
CCCWP is a member of the California Stormwater Quality Association (CASQA). In 2003, CASQA published the Municipal BMP Handbook | California Stormwater Quality Association.
This handbook is meant mainly for municipal staff, however many of the factsheets may also be useful for those in the private sector looking to learn more about general stormwater pollution prevention controls. It is currently available for free.
The Bay Area Air District’s Commercial Lawn and Garden Equipment Exchange Pilot Program helps commercial landscapers transition from gas- and diesel-powered lawn and garden equipment to cleaner electric alternatives. Through the program, eligible applicants—including government agencies, public schools, and commercial landscapers operating in certain ZIP codes—may qualify for vouchers ranging from $700 to $15,000 per equipment replacement. Visit the Bay Area Air District’s pilot program webpage for details.
CCCWP participates in the Bay Area Municipal Regional Stormwater Collaborative (BAMSC, formerly BASMAA), which is a regional collaboration to prevent and manage stormwater pollution. The BAMSC Surface Cleaning Program provides the following resources and training materials:
Mercury – Delta Diablo Includes printable brochures in English and Spanish. Learn about everyday sources of mercury and BMPs for proper storage, disposal, and pollution prevention.
Do you come across old mercury-containing thermostats in your work? Help keep your customers and community safe by becoming a mercury thermostat disposal partner! Thermostat Care provides free collection containers (pail or bin options) and covers all disposal and shipping costs to send collected thermostats to a certified processing facility.
In California, it is illegal to dispose of mercury thermostats in the trash. Instead, they must be taken to a qualified drop-off location for proper disposal. If you rarely encounter mercury thermostats, you can also find your nearest Thermostat Care drop-off location here.
Rebate Eligibility: Customers and service technicians qualify for a $30 mail-in rebate per mercury thermostat when they submit a completed rebate form at drop-off. Licensed contractors are not eligible for the rebate. Learn more here.
Which of these belongs in the ocean?
(A) Soapy or muddy water, (B) Trash, (C) Oil, or (D) None of these.
Which of these belongs in a storm drain?
(A) Soapy or muddy water, (B) Trash, (C) Oil, or (D) None of these.
If you answered “D” for both questions, then you are correct! Whether in the ocean or in local creeks, the above items can harm fish, habitats and public health. These items are also common pollutants found in commercial or industrial areas. Unfortunately, if not properly managed, then business-related pollutants can enter storm drains, which empty directly into local creeks and bays without any treatment. This is why discharge of anything other than rain water into storm drains is prohibited in California.
See below for past BMPs brochures and factsheets.
Protect Your Family from Mercury Contamination. Don’t Trash Fluorescent Bulbs! (PDF) – Brochure developed by CCCWP, Delta Household Hazardous Waste, and Orchard Supply Hardware
| Report Spills/Illegal Dumping
Business