Stormwater Management

Storm water is a term used to describe water that originates during precipitation (rain or snow) events. Storm water that does not soak into the ground becomes surface runoff, which either flows into surface waterways or is channeled into storm drains.

Storm water pollution occurs when storm water runoff comes in contact with contaminants before reaching the San Benito River, Santa Ana Creek or Pacific Ocean. Contaminants can be automotive fluids, sediment, detergents, animal waste, pesticides, fertilizers, chemicals, trash, oils, food processing waste, and many more substances.

The City's storm drain system is designed to route untreated runoff from impervious surfaces including roofs, parking lots, roads, sidewalks, and other hardened surfaces to the San Benito River, Santa Ana Creek, and eventually to the Pacific Ocean. The system is supplied by storm drains that can be seen on City roads, parking lots, and highways. The City's storm drain system is also made up of numerous basins which receive untreated runoff and help to control flooding within the City. These basins not only prevent flooding but they also promote the recharge of underlying aquifers.

From plumbing fixtures and appliances, from homes and businesses such as toilets, showers and bath tubs, clothes washers, dish washers, and garbage disposals. Domestic wastewater is discharged from plumbing fixtures and appliances and then flows into the domestic wastewater sewer. The domestic wastewater sewer system is made up of many sewer lines extending from individual lots of land. The line from each lot connects to the sewer line. The city maintains sewer lines located under public streets or alleys that connect to a "trunk sewer". The main trunks of the sewer end at the City of Hollister Water Reclamation Plant. All water entering the treatment plant is treated so that approximately 90 percent of the impurities are removed. The rest of the impurities are removed when the treated water is returned back to the groundwater basin through percolation.

Tips for Residents

Discharges from individual residences within Hollister may contribute to water pollution. Residents can help by following these Good Housekeeping best management practices (BMPs), making Hollister a much cleaner place to live and work.

Lawn and Garden

• Don't overwater your lawn. Water during the cool times of the day and don't let excess water run off into a storm drain.
• Apply lawn and garden chemicals sparingly and according to directions. Avoid using chemicals before it rains to prevent them from being washed into the storm drain system.
• Reduce the use of fertilizers. Try making your own compost or using slow release organic fertilizers instead.
• Cover piles of dirt and mulch to prevent these pollutants from blowing or washing off your yard into a water body.
• Select native plants and grasses that are drought and pest resistant. Native plants require less water and fertilizer.
• Direct downspouts away from paved surfaces and onto lawns and other vegetated areas to increase infiltration and reduce polluted runoff.
• Control soil erosion on your property by planting ground cover and stabilizing erosion-prone areas.
• Eliminate toxic pesticides or use less toxic alternatives for a healthy home and garden. See the Our Water Our World Program website for more information.

Vehicle and Garage

• Properly dispose of hazardous materials such as paints and paint thinners, pesticides, used oil and anti freeze, fuel additives, starter fluids, and solvents at the San Benito County Integrated Waste Management Recycling & Household Hazardous Waste Collection Program located at the John Smith Road Landfill, 2650 John Smith Road, Hollister California 95023.
• Regularly maintain your car, boat, motorcycle, and other machinery and equipment to prevent fluid leaks.
• Sweep up spilled brake fluid, oil, grease, antifreeze, and other fluids with and absorbent material like kitty liter or sand. Do not hose them into the street where they can eventually reach local streams and lakes.
• Wash your car at a commercial/coin-operated car wash that recycles wash water or wash your car on your lawn or other unpaved surface to minimize the amount of dirty, soapy water flowing into the storm drain.

If washing your car at home

• Use a bucket and biodegradable soap
• Use as little soap and water as possible
• Look for products that don't contain nonylphenol surfactants, which act as endocrine disrupters and change the sex of fish, and phosphates, which contribute to algal blooms and low oxygen levels in waterways
• Use a trigger spray nozzle to control water flow from the hose and reduce water use
• Wash the car on a grassy area or other porous surface where soil microbes and vegetation can filter and break down pollutants and keep wash water out of the street and storm drains
• Direct wash water into a landscaped area or vacuum it up with a shopvac rather than allowing it to run into the street
• When you are done, dump your bucket of soapy water into a sink, drain, or toilet that goes to the City's wastewater treatment plant

Home Repair and Improvement

• Before beginning an outdoor project, be aware of the nearest storm drains and protect them from loose debris and other material.
• Sweep-up and properly dispose of construction debris such as concrete and mortar.
• Use hazardous substances like paints, solvents, and cleaners in the smallest amounts possible and follow manufacturer directions. Clean up spills immediately and dispose of the waste safely.
• Store substances properly to avoid leaks and spills.
• Purchase and use nontoxic, biodegradable, recycled, and recyclable products whenever possible.
• Clean paint brushes in a sink, not outdoors. Filter and reuse paint thinner when using oil-based paints. Properly dispose of excess paints for free at the San Benito County Integrated Waste Management Recycling & Household Hazardous Waste Collection Program located at the John Smith Road Landfill, 2650 John Smith Road, Hollister California 95023.

Tips for Businesses

Discharges from businesses within Hollister may contribute to water pollution. By following these Good Housekeeping best management practices (BMPs), Hollister and surrounding communities can be a much cleaner and better place to live and work.

California Storm Water Quality Association Best Management Practice Handbooks for New Development and Redevelopment, Construction, Industrial and Commercial, and Municipal Operations. California Storm Water Quality Association Industrial and Commercial Business Guide Sheets. Pollution Prevention Fact Sheet for Mobile Car Washing and Outdoor Surface Pressure Washing. Pollution Prevention Fact Sheet for Swimming Pools, Ponds, and Hot Tubs.

Managing Fats, Oil, and Grease

• Wipe cookware and work areas prior to washing. DO NOT pour cooking oils, fats, and grease directly into the storm drain.
• Dispose of food waste directly into the trash. Minimize use of the garbage disposal.
• Collect waste cooking oil and grease and store for recycling. DO NOT pour waste cooking oil, fats, or grease directly into a storm drain or onto a parking lot or street.
• Clean floor mats indoors and over a utility sink. Do not wash floor mats outside where water will runoff directly into the storm drain.

Landscape Areas

• Save $$$$ and minimize over irrigation of your lawn. Irrigate during the cooler times of the day and avoid discharging irrigation water into a storm drain.
• Apply lawn and garden chemicals sparingly and according to directions. To prevent chemicals from being washed into a storm drain DO NOT apply chemicals to landscaping when moderate to heavy rain is forecasted.
• Reduce the use of fertilizers. Try making your own compost or using slow release organic fertilizers instead.
• Cover piles of dirt and mulch to prevent these pollutants from blowing or washing off your landscaping and into a storm drain or waterbody.
• Select native plants and grasses that are drought and pest resistant. Native plants require less water and fertilizer.
• Direct downspouts away from paved surfaces and onto lawns and other vegetated areas to save $$$$ on irrigation, increase infiltration, and reduce polluted runoff.
• Control soil erosion on your property by planting ground cover and stabilizing erosion-prone areas.
• Eliminate toxic pesticides or use less toxic alternatives for a healthy home and garden. See the Our Water Our World Program website for more information.

Machinery and Maintenance

• Properly dispose of hazardous materials and wastes such as paints and paint thinners, pesticides, oil and fuel additives, starter fluids, and solvents at the San Benito County Integrated Waste Management Recycling & Household Hazardous Waste Collection Program located at the John Smith Road Landfill, 2650 John Smith Road, Hollister California 95023.
• Clean up spilled brake fluid, oil, grease, antifreeze, and other fluids with dry absorbent material like kitty litter or sand. DO NOT hose them into the street or a storm drain.
• Sweep a parking lot or sidewalk rather than pressure washing or hosing them.
• NEVER pour mop water into the street.
• DO NOT pour motor oil into storm drains.

Outdoor Washing Activities

• Before beginning an outdoor project, be aware of the nearest storm drains and protect them from loose debris and other material.
• Sweep-up and properly dispose of construction debris such as concrete and mortar.
• Use hazardous substances like paints, solvents, and cleaners in the smallest amounts possible and follow manufacturer directions. Clean up spills immediately and dispose of the waste safely.
• Store substances properly to avoid leaks and spills.
• Purchase and use nontoxic, biodegradable, recycled, and recyclable products whenever possible.
• Clean paint brushes in a sink, not outdoors. Filter and reuse paint thinner when using oil-based paints. Properly dispose of excess paints and thinners for free at the San Benito County Integrated Waste Management Recycling & Household Hazardous Waste Collection Program located at the John Smith Road Landfill, 2650 John Smith Road, Hollister California 95023.

Trash, Waste, and Debris

• Make sure trash cans and dumpsters are covered and emptied regularly.
• Maintain clean and debris free ditches, street gutters, and storm drains. Not only will this reduce storm water pollution but it will prevent flooding.
• Pet waste can contain disease causing bacteria and parasites that can make people and other animals sick. Pick-up pet waste and dispose of the waste and used kitty litter in the trash. Do NOT dispose of kitty litter in the toilet.

Cleaning Supplies

• Purchase detergents and cleaners that are low in phosphorous.
• Use less toxic products and dispose of any excess at the San Benito County Integrated Waste Management Recycling & Household Hazardous Waste Collection Program located at the John Smith Road Landfill, 2650 John Smith Road, Hollister California 95023.

Spill Prevention, Control, and Clean Up

• Never store or handle chemicals adjacent to a storm drain or waterway.
• In the event of a spill, first attempt to contain it and prevent it from spreading, then clean-up the spill.
• Use dry absorbents and clean-up methods for spills (e.g., sawdust, kitty litter, rags, mops, and buckets). Do not rinse or hose spills into a storm drain or to a street or parking lot. Properly dispose absorbent material in the trash.