When pet waste is left on the sidewalk, street, yard, or lawn, stormwater and non-stormwater runoff can wash it directly into our storm drain system and out to our creeks, lake, and eventually the ocean without it being treated first. This is because storm drains are not connected to wastewater treatment plants or septic systems like the drains in your home.  

Animal waste is a threat to human and environmental health because it contains harmful bacteria and pathogens, some of which can cause serious diseases in humans. Animal waste also contains many other nutrient pollutants, which contribute to damaging algae growth in a water body.

How to properly dispose of animal waste

Being a responsible owner means picking up after your animal. Here is how you can properly dispose of animal waste and prevent local water pollution:

• Bring a bag
• Clean it up
• Dispose of it properly in the trash

Use these tips to help prevent polluted runoff from entering our storm drain system.

Required Activities

• All pet waste must be picked up and properly disposed of.  Pet waste should be disposed of in the regular trash.
• To properly dispose of pet waste, carry bags while walking with pets.  
• Look for a bag station.  These are conveniently located at many city parks and open space trail heads.
• Bathe pets indoors and use less toxic shampoos.  When possible, have pets professionally bathed.  Properly inoculate your pet to maintain their health and reduce the possibility of pathogens in pet waste.
• Properly dispose of unused flea control products (shampoo, sprays, or collars) by placing in the regular trash.

Automobile repair and maintenance activities have the potential to contribute directly to water pollution primarily through spills or direct dumping of waste fluids into storm drains.

Common automobile maintenance pollutants include:

• Oil
• Grease
• Solvents
• Sediment (dirt)
• Metals
• Hydrocarbons (gasoline)
• Hazardous materials

Use these tips to help prevent polluted runoff from entering our storm drain system, and remember, the ocean starts at your front door.

Required Activities

• Recycle used oil and antifreeze by taking them to service stations and other recycling centers, and never pour oil in storm drains.  Find a certified Used Oil Recycling Center near you.
• Do not perform repair and maintenance activities during rain events.
• Immediately clean up and contain any spills.  Dispose of all waste and absorbent materials properly.
• Store hazardous materials and wastes indoors, under cover, or in watertight containers.  These include but are not limited to: fluids, solvents, parts containing fluids, and batteries.
• Perform automobile maintenance and repairs over water-resistant surfaces like concrete, so spills and waste material can be quickly and easily cleaned up.  Use preventative tools like drip pans and plastic sheeting to contain spills and waste material.
• Dispose of cleaning solvents at a hazardous waste center.  Find a Household Hazardous Waste Facility near you.

Recommended Activities

• Wash your vehicle on a permeable surface, like your lawn; this allows water to infiltrate instead of running off your property.
• Conduct auto repair activities at a commercial repair facility.
• Perform automobile repair and maintenance activities under a covered area.
• Do not buy fluids containing target pollutants, such as degreasers containing PERC.
• Monitor parked or stored vehicles and equipment for leaks, and place pans under leaks to collect fluids for proper disposal or recycling.

Household hazardous materials 

By practicing smart household habits, homeowners can keep common pollutants off the ground and out of storm drains. Many hazardous materials that may be used in and around residences during routine maintenance activities include:

• Oil
• Paint
• Cleaners
• Bleach
• Pesticides
• Glue
• Solvent

Adopt these smart household habits to keep storm drains and the ocean clear of polluted runoff.

Required Activities

• Clean out painting equipment in an area where the waste can be contained and properly disposed of. Latex-based paints can enter the sewer while oil-based needs to be brought to a hazardous waste center.  Find a Household Hazardous Waste Facility near you
• Rinse off cement mixers and cement laden tools in a contained washout area. Dispose of dried concrete waste in household trash
• If safe, contain clean up and properly dispose of all hazardous waste spills. If unsafe conditions exist, call 911 to activate a proper response team
• Household hazardous materials must be stored indoors or under cover, and in closed and labeled containers. Dispose of them at a household hazardous waste center. Find a Household Hazardous Waste Facility near you
• Household wash waters (e.g. washing machine waste, mop water) must be disposed of in the sanitary sewer
• Pool and spa water must be discharged to the sanitary sewer NOT into the street, which leads to a storm drain. Pool filter media must be contained and disposed of properly

Recommended Activities

• Only purchase the types and amounts of materials needed
• Share unused portions of products with neighbors or community programs

A runoff friendly lawn and garden does not harm waterways by utilizing limited chemical application and absorbing the proper amount of water. Activities such as over irrigation, landscape maintenance, fertilization, and pesticide application have the potential to discharge pollutants to the storm drain system.

Use these tips to help prevent polluted runoff from entering our storm drain system.

Required Activities

• Properly adjust irrigation systems to reflect seasonal water needs
• Minimize the use of pesticides and fertilizers. Read the labels and follow directions to avoid improper use. Only apply chemicals when it is not windy and more than 48-hours from a rainstorm
• Properly clean up and dispose of gardening chemical, fertilizer, or soil spills. If possible, return the spilled material to the container for future use
• Store lawn and garden care products in closed and labeled containers, in covered areas, or off the ground and under protective tarps
• Household hazardous waste must be properly disposed at a household hazardous waste center. Find a Household Hazardous Waste Facility near you
• Cover non-vegetated surfaces to prevent erosion

Recommended Activities

• Utilize drought and insect resistant landscaping
• Nurture your garden often to control weeds, which require additional irrigation when not removed
• Use integrated pest management (IPM) by planting pest repelling plants
• Do not leave food (human or pet) outside overnight
• Remove fruit and garden waste

 Swimming pools and spas are common in San Luis Obispo, but they must be maintained properly to guarantee that chemicals don’t enter the street, where they can flow into storm drains and then into our creeks, rivers, and ocean. Since water in storm drains is NOT treated, take the following precautions to protect our waterways.

Tips For Pool Maintenance

Filter Maintenance

Sand filters, filter cartridges, and diatomaceous earth (DE) filters should be washed or backwashed into the sewer system, NOT the storm drain system. DE is very harmful to aquatic life, so used DE must be bagged and disposed with trash

Pool Water

If you are disposing pool water it is REQUIRED to be discharged into the sanitary sewer, oftentimes into a cleanout.  Make sure the water is free of any unusual coloration, dirt, or algae

RV black and gray water can pollute San Luis Obispo waterways if they aren’t disposed of properly. While exploring the beautiful Central Coast, you can protect our creeks, lakes, and ocean from dangerous pollutants like bacteria and sewage by using dump stations. To find dump stations along your route, search “RV dump stations near me” or “RV dump stations San Luis Obispo” in your preferred search engine.  There are no public dump stations within the City of San Luis Obispo.  The nearest public dump stations are located at Morro Bay State Park, Grand Avenue Dump Station near Golf Course in Pismo Beach, and Lopez Lake Recreational Area.  Disposal fees may apply to use these sites.

Tips for RV Dump Stations

Avoid a harmful and smelly RV dump station experience by following these tips:

1. Ensure both ends of the hose are secure before you open the tank valve.
2. Dump your black water tank first, then the gray water tank second.
3. Watch the hose while dumping to ensure it remains connected.
4. Shut the valves while the tanks aren’t being cleared out.
5. While still connected to the inlet pipe, disconnect the RV end of the hose and rinse the inside of the hose to remove any residue.
6. Be prepared for spills by having a spill kit stocked with absorbent, gloves, safety glasses, and a receptacle to use if necessary. You don’t want to be unprepared when dealing with human waste!
7. Only clean up spills and residue from dumping using dry methods.

 This information will be helpful if your property has sewer service or you own a private sewer line (also known as private lateral).

Your private lateral is what transports wastewater from indoor plumbing fixtures like toilets, sinks, and dishwashers to the public sewer line and treatment plants. Property owners must maintain their private laterals from the connection at their property to the public sewer (which can include areas under the sidewalk and street) to prevent any spills.

Sewage spills can cause pollutants to get into the storm drain system and go untreated into our waterways, damaging water quality and marine life.

Tips for Lateral Maintenance

Prevent Blockages

• Only flush toilet paper down the toilet.
• Scrape food scraps into a designated food waste/organics receptacle before rinsing dishes and utensils in the sink.
• After cooking at home, let grease cool then pour or scrape it into a metal can. When the can is full, dispose of grease properly.

 Conduct Structural Maintenance

• Work with a licensed plumber to map out and decide the optimal maintenance schedule for your property.
• Clean your private laterals occasionally to eliminate grease, debris, and roots.
• Repair or replace worn down or damaged private laterals as soon as possible.

Watch for Signs of a Spill or Backup

• Water is draining slower than usual and getting slower over time.
• Drains are backing up inside of buildings.
• Unusually wet or soggy ground in your yard, which might be accompanied by odors.

What To Do When You See a Sewage Spill

• Turn off the property’s main water supply or stop all water usage.
• Contact a licensed plumber to fix a suspected sewer backup or leak.
• Contact the Utilities Department for sewer spills from a cleanout or manhole. (805) 781-7215 or (805) 781-7312 after hours 

Report Sewage Spill Immediately

(805) 781-7215 or (805) 781-7312 for after hours