Storm Water and You – BE PART OF THE SOLUTION

City of Hollister Storm Water Management Program

How Can Residents Help?

How Can Businesses Help?

Contact Us & Community Reporting

What is Storm Water?
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.

What is Storm Water Pollution?
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.

What is a Storm Drain System?
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.

What is a Sewer System?
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.

The City of Hollister proactively pursues the protection of its valuable watershed and water resources used for drinking, fishing, swimming, and wildlife habitat.

The City of Hollister is committed to the implementation of the following clean water goals:

1. Educate the community through television, printed material, and special events about ways they can help protect local water resources.
2. Coordinate and promote public participation within the community that emphasizes storm water pollution prevention concepts.
3. Manage and enforce an Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination Program.
4. Implement a program to oversee construction activities within City limits to control erosion and sedimentation and the discharge of construction wastes.
5. Reform it’s new and redevelopment project planning and development process to minimize long-term post-construction impacts to water resources. Promote practices that use or mimic natural processes to infiltrate, evaporate, and/or harvest and reuse rain water near where it falls to earth.
6. Enhance operations and maintenance techniques utilized by the City during regular municipal activities, and broaden storm water pollution prevention training.

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.

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.

Click cover images at right to download PDF factsheets.

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

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.

Contact Us
City of Hollister citizens are encouraged to contact City staff regarding any questions, concerns, or comments they may have regarding the City's storm management program.

Community Reporting

ILLEGAL DUMPING INTO STORM DRAINS IS A CRIME

The City of Hollister needs your help protecting our water resources from illicit discharge activities.  Use the Storm Water Hotline to confidentially alert the City of Hollister of illegal or unacceptable actions, including illicit discharges from fellow community members and businesses. Common warning signs of illicit discharges are the presence of dry weather flow (e.g., runoff of water flowing down curbs or drains), suds, sewage, oil and gas and other non-storm water related contaminants within or discharging to the City's storm water conveyance system.

To report illegal dumping activity that is in progress please call 9 - 1 - 1 and the Hollister Police Department will be notified immediately.

If you have seen illegal dumping activities into storm drains and wish to remain anonymous, you may call the WeTIP Hotline at 1-800-78-CRIME.

Please help protect our water supplies.  Prevent; trash, oil, fertilizers and other chemicals from polluting City storm drains.  Thanks for Being Part of the Solution to Prevent Storm Water Pollution and helping the City of Hollister protect local water resources.