SMCWPPP is an acronym for the San Mateo Countywide Water Pollution Prevention Program.

Water pollution is an important issue for San Mateo County. Each day, a variety of toxic pollutants are washed from streets and parking lots into storm drains and creeks. The storm drains prevent flooding, by sending this run-off to the Bay or the Ocean. But this water is NOT treated. Therefore, these pollutants ultimately reach the Bay or Ocean. The following pollutants are some of the most toxic pollutants reaching our water bodies:

  • Mercury from broken florescent lamps, old batteries and thermometers
  • Leaking Oil, Antifreeze and Gasoline from cars
  • Pesticides and Herbicides from your home and garden spraying and care
  • Oil from leaking trash containers at restaurants
  • Motor oil waste from oil changes on cars, lawn mowers and small equipment
  • Soaps and chemicals used to wash cars
  • Copper Dust from auto brake pads
  • Rubber tire dust from auto tires
Recent studies indicate that 80% of the pollution entering the San Francisco Bay comes from our polluted stormwater runoff. SMCWPPP is to help everyone understand what they can do to reduce stormwater pollution at home, in business or in their community. Information includes implementing Best Management Practices (BMPs) at work and using Integrated Pest Management (IPM) at home and work. Even our storm drain stencils that read "No Dumping -- Flows to Bay" remind people that nothing but water should go in our storm drains.

Through the success of the city and county stormwater programs in the Bay area, the water quality of the Bay will improve. With improved water quality, the marine ecosystem will become healthier. A healthier marine ecosystem will enhance the quality of life for all residents around the Bay and on the Ocean.

The SMCWPPP is part of the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit issued to the City/County Association of Governments (C/CAG), each incorporated city and town in the county, and the County of San Mateo. C/CAG-SMCWPPP offices are in Redwood City, California. The Federal Clean Water Act and the California Porter-Cologne Water Quality Control Act require that large urban areas discharging stormwater into the San Francisco Bay or the Pacific Ocean have an NPDES stormwater discharge permit. San Mateo, Santa Clara, Alameda, Marin, Sonoma, Solano, San Francisco, Fairfield/Suisun, Vallejo and Contra Costa Counties have each obtained these permits. Certain types of businesses must also apply for individual coverage, by filing a Notice of Intent (NOI) with the State Water Resources Control Board

 
     
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