Runoff from rain or irrigation flows into storm drains which are not connected to sewer or treatment facilities. Runoff can carry pollutants such as trash, sediment, fertilizers, pet waste, and oil directly into our creeks, lagoons and ocean.

A watershed is an area of land that drains to a creek, lagoon, or ocean. Carlsbad is considered to part of 5 watersheds: Buena Vista Creek and Lagoon; Agua Hedionda Creek and Lagoon; Encinas Creek; San Marcos Creek and Batiquitos Lagoon; and Escondido Creek.

A Best Management Practice, or BMP, is a method or technique to prevent water pollution. A BMP can be a structure, an activity or a behavior. Examples of BMPs are sand bag berms (structural), sweeping (activity), or training and education (behavior).

Yes, as long as the pool water is pH neutral and not saline, and free of chlorine and dissolved solids. If you have a saline pool that needs to be drained, please contact us at 442-339-2799 or stormwater@carlsbadca.gov

Yes, but it’s recommended to take your car to a car wash where wash water is recycled. If you must wash your car, it cannot be parked on a city street. Park it on grass or gravel, or direct the runoff to landscaping whenever possible. Use a hose with a shut-off nozzle and soapy water in a bucket. Minimize runoff to the street.

You can visit San Diego County’s website for real-time beach water quality.

Contact the San Diego County’s Vector Control Program at 858-694-2888 or vector@sdcounty.ca.gov to report mosquito breeding. Check your property and remove any standing water around your home.

The Watershed Protection Division monitors water quality, investigates complaints, inspects businesses, and educates the public on pollution prevention.

If you see irrigation runoff, dumping, or washing to the street or storm drain, call 442-339-2799 or email stormwater@carlsbadca.gov.

Yes. All businesses are required to implement BMPs, such as good housekeeping, proper waste disposal and outdoor surface cleaning.

The city inspector looks for potential sources of pollution, such as dumpster enclosures, grease bins, outdoor storage, landscaping and all storm drains. The inspector notifies the business manager or property owner of violations and corrective actions, and will work with them to resolve problems as quickly as possible.

Grease bins can be a source of water pollution if not properly maintained. Always keep the lid closed, and immediately clean up spills. If washing the grease bin, capture all wash water and do not let runoff flow to the street or storm drain. For more information on fats, oils and grease, please contact the City of Carlsbad’s Wastewater Department at 442-339-2722 or visit the Sewer page.

Yes, although education is the city’s first step. Enforcement procedures typically begin with a notice of violation, but can include administrative citations if violations are not corrected as required by the inspector.

It’s a good idea to train employees on pollution prevention, whether required by law or not. The City of Carlsbad can assist with employee training. Please call 442-339-2799 or email stormwater@carlsbadca.gov if you are interested in having an environmental specialist conduct stormwater pollution prevention training at your facility.

Possibly, if your business falls into certain criteria defined by the state. To find out if your business needs to apply for coverage under the state’s Industrial General Permit, please visit the Industrial Stormwater Program page on California's Water Resources Control Board website. If your business needs an industrial general permit and does not have it, your business license renewal may be withheld.