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quality, reduce the risk of flooding, and protect and restore natural habitats and recreation areas. This
work includes ensuring our storm drain system is functioning properly, and not allowing trash, liquids
(other than uncontaminated rainwater runoff), and other potential pollutants into the storm drain
system.
The City of San Diego Stormwater Management and Discharge Control Ordinance (San Diego Municipal
Code §43.0301-§43.0312) and the San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board’s most current
Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) Permit require preventing unauthorized discharges to
the storm drain system, and eliminating any such discharges that occur, with necessary enforcement
action taken by the City. Your event plans must include a “Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan”
(SWPPP) that complies with all local, state, and federal laws governing stormwater management and
discharge control. Under the City of San Diego’s Municipal Code provisions cited above, discharging
pollutants into the stormwater conveyance system is illegal. Failure to prevent pollutants and illegal
discharges from entering the storm drain system can result in fines up to $10,000 per day, per violation.
Introduction to Pollution Prevention
Many people think that when water flows into a storm drain it is treated, but the storm drain system
and sanitary sewer system are not connected (other than a few limited exceptions). Nearly everything
that enters storm drains flows untreated directly into our creeks, rivers, bays, beaches, and ultimately
the ocean. Stormwater can contain harmful pollutants, including pesticides, other chemicals, bacteria,
pet waste, sediment, trash, and oil/grease. The Federal Clean Water Act prohibits disposal of waste and
pollutants into creeks, rivers, lakes, bays, and the ocean because of the harmful effects that pollutants
have on recreational waterways and wildlife and human health and safety. Some of San Diego’s most
popular beaches have been temporarily closed because of unauthorized urban runoff and stormwater
pollution. By preventing pollution from occurring in our neighborhoods and at our businesses, we can
protect our environment and our families’ health and safety.
Storm Drain Identification
The storm drain conveyance system includes curbs, gutters, alleys and drain inlets that are in the public
right-of-way. The storm drain system is designed to convey rainwater (and ONLY rainwater) away from
structures and property, and into drains, channels or nearby waterways (e.g., creek, channel, stream,
river, bay, ocean, etc.) to prevent flooding. As a component of your SWPPP, all storm drain inlets inside
or adjacent to your event venue must be clearly marked on your site plan or route map.
Large-scale events with the potential to generate pollutants (such as trash) outside of the proposed
event venue perimeter may be required to identify additional storm drains that could be impacted by