A Clean Ocean Starts at Your Front Door - Stormwater Pollution.

When it rains in Baldwin Park most of the water that falls on our homes and streets flows along our gutters, through the storm drains and ends up in the Pacific Ocean. Though we are not a beach city, our actions have a great impact on the beaches we love to visit.

The water in storm drains does not receive any treatment or cleaning. Whatever is in the gutters or storm drains in Baldwin Park will, when the next rainstorm arrives, end up in the ocean. But there are things you can do to help prevent this type of pollution. Follow the suggestion below to do your part to keep the ocean clean.

In the Garden
Fertilizers, pesticides and weed killers contain chemicals that are harmful to people and the environment. To keep your garden looking great and protect the environment:

• Use fertilizers, pesticides, and weed killers sparingly and according to the manufacturers' application guidelines. Most people over apply these chemicals.
• Do not apply these materials before a likely rain. Your investment will wash away and the runoff will pollute local storm drains and ultimately the ocean.
• Do not over water after applying fertilizers, pesticides or weed
  killers.
• Store these materials safely. Keep them in sealed, waterproof
  containers that cannot leak.
• Use non-toxic products for your lawn and garden whenever
  possible.

Paint
All paint and solvents contain toxic chemicals that can be dangerous to people and the environment. To help prevent pollution please handle these products carefully by following these easy steps:

• Never dispose of paint or paint-related products in the gutter or storm drain. People who do are illegally dumping. Take paint and related products to a Household Hazardous Waste Collection event.
• Buy only what you need. Reuse leftover paint for touch-ups or donate it to a local graffiti paint-out program. Recycle or use up excess paint.
• Clean water-based paint brushes in a sink.
• Oil-based paints should be cleaned with thinner that can be
  reused. Set the thinner aside in a closed jar to settle out paint
  particles.
• Store paint and paint-related products in rigid, durable and
  watertight containers with tight-fitting covers.

Other Easy Storm Water Pollution-Prevention Tips
Storm drains are for rain!

• Not Automotive Fluids - Recycle all hazardous waste including motor oil, antifreeze, and radiator fluids. Take them to a local Collection Center or Collection Event.
• Not Pet Waste - Pick up after your dog. Animal waste left on the ground washes down storm drains and contaminates beaches.
• Not Yard Waste - Bag, compost, or recycle grass, tree limbs, leaves and other yard waste. Don't rake, blow, or hose yard waste into the gutter. Soggy yard waste is a major source of clogged storm drains, and street and neighborhood flooding.
• No Litter - Do not throw litter and debris into the street. Trash
  in the gutter flows directly to local beaches and can clog storm
  drains and cause flooding.