How you clean and maintain your home impacts the health of our local waterways.

Watch Fred & Izzy as they discover another surprising source of pollution that may harm the water and wildlife in our creeks, wetlands and the Bay.

Because the stormdrains in Alameda County flow directly to creeks and the Bay without going to a treatment plant first, it’s important to keep pollutants and litter out of the drains. Because soot, auto fluids and other residue from daily life settle on our sidewalks, driveways, roofs and other structures, we can unknowingly pollutet— just by hosing these surfaces. The wash water carries the pollutants and litter away, but they eventually they find their way into a drain. Even tap water can harm the delicate microorganisms that help keep water ecosystems healthy.

You can prevent pollution by sweeping instead of hosing. If you must wash, be sure that the flow of water ends up on landscaping or gravel areas instead of the street or sidewalk.

Thank you! Fred and Izzy thank you too.

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Earth Day is on Monday, April 22, with many events in Alameda County happening throughout the month of April. Join your neighbors in celebrating our area's natural beauty and helping keep our creeks, shores and the Bay healthy and litter-free!

The Clean Water Program is inviting applications for the 2019 Community Stewardship Grant (CSG) program. Deadline for submissions is 2PM on June 17, 2019.

Community feedback on the draft plan is welcome. Submit comments by December 7, 2018.

"Green infrastructure" is a new generation of landscape designs that help improve water quality, prevent flooding and replenish ground water.