Making Santa Rosa a better place to live by managing storm water runoff to minimize flooding and water pollution, improving creek health through restoration and community involvement, and providing biological and engineering services.
The Storm Water Team is responsible for achieving the above mission statement. Our Team of civil engineers, engineering technicians, environmental specialists, and support staff works with other City Departments and government agencies to fulfill this mission by implementing Santa Rosa’s Storm Water Management Plan and Citywide Creek Master Plan and responding to citizen concerns about drainage and City’s waterways.
Quality of Water... Quality of Life
Those of us who live in Sonoma County are fortunate to enjoy a healthy lifestyle and attractive natural environment. However...there are many types of pollutants that find their way into our storm drain system. Some common pollutants found in storm drains and creeks include: motor oil, yard clippings, fertilizers and pesticides, milky water from paint, soapy car wash water, eroded sediment from construction projects, and litter.
Pollution in our creeks and storm drains can become a huge problem to clean up. The City's storm drain system includes over 75 miles of open channels/ditches, over 320 miles of public underground pipes, and over 18,000 structures representing over $200 million in storm drain infrastructure investment. A storm water management program has been established to protect our waterways and enhance our quality of life.
What is a Storm Water Management Program?
It is a written list of tasks or actions that when carried out will help reduce the amount of storm water pollutants which now infiltrate our natural waterways and ultimately flow into the Pacific Ocean. Because all runoff cannot be captured and treated like sewage, the best prospect for cleaner water is to prevent runoff from becoming polluted in the first place. View the Storm Water Management Plan.
Stormwater management activities are included within several main categories:
• Public outreach and education,
• Construction site management,
• Industrial facility inspections,
• How drainage facilities are maintained,
• Investigations of illicit discharges and ordinance enforcement
What is the Citywide Creek Master Plan?
In addition to storm water management plan activities, the City is also working with residents to enhance creek corridors to provide efficient transportation routes, safe neighborhoods, scenery, wildlife habitat, and recreation as well as maintain flood control. The major tool for this is the Santa Rosa Citywide Creek Master Plan which provides guidelines for the care, management, restoration and enhancement of nearly ninety miles of creeks in Santa Rosa. The Master Plan is intended for use by City and County staff when planning creek enhancement and restoration activities, coordination and expansion of creekside trail systems, making broader land-use planning decisions concerning creeks, and in the development project approvals process for projects proposed adjacent to a waterway.
The Creek Stewardship Program also provides ways for citizens to learn more about local creeks and to lend a hand in keeping them healthy. Creek stewards play a critical role in translating the policies of the Citywide Creek Master Plan into on the ground projects in the community. To volunteer for Creek Cleanup Activities, call the Creek Stewardship Program at 543-3845.