Land development and construction activities significantly alter drainage patterns and contribute pollutants to urban runoff. During construction, erosion and removal of existing landscaping can create downstream impacts. After construction, impervious surfaces created by buildings, roads, and parking lots prevent storm water from directly percolating into the soil, and create an adverse impact on water quality. In fact, 80 percent of surface water pollution is attributed to urban runoff.

As the amount of impervious surface increases in a watershed, water that previously percolated into the soil and was filtered begins to flow directly to storm drains that lead to our creeks and bay without being treated. Untreated stormwater can be a source of pollutants, such as automotive fluids, cleaning solvents, toxic or hazardous chemicals, sediment, detergents, pesticides, and oil and grease.

Urban Storm Water Pollution

Federal and State environmental regulations require new and redevelopment projects to implement controls that treat polluted storm runoff before it reaches any receiving waters.

RESOURCES

• Contra Costa Clean Water Program (CCCWP)
• El Cerrito Stormwater Control Plan Requirements, October 2020
• CCCWP C.3 Guidebook Appendix C - Preparing a Stormwater Control Plan for a Small Development Project
• CCCWP C.3 Guidebook Appendix D – Stormwater Pollutant Sources/Source Control Checklist
• Blueprint for A Clean Bay: Best Management Practices to Prevent Stormwater Pollution from Construction-Related Activities
• BMP-General Construction & Site Supervision 
• BMP-Roadwork & Paving