Stormwater

Did you know that we get an average of 10-11 inches of rain per year in Madera? Have you ever wondered where all that water goes? Stormwater absorbs into the ground in natural areas where urban development hasn’t occurred. However, where urban development has occurred, there are more impervious surfaces, like rooftops, paved roads, driveways, and parking lots, limiting the stormwater’s ability to be absorbed into the ground. As a result, stormwater flows across rooftops, over the ground, through gutters, into storm drains, and ultimately into the local waterways.

As the stormwater flows over the urban landscape, it picks up and carries whatever it comes into contact with along the way. This may include animal waste, automobile fluids, pesticides, litter, and other pollutants, which may harm local waterways. In addition, the waterways can also be impaired if materials like soapy water, oil, or paint are disposed of incorrectly or dumped directly into the curb and gutter or storm drain.

The storm drainage system within the City of Madera consists of curbs, gutters, and storm drains. The storm drainage system is separate from the sewer system, which means that the water that flows into the storm drain system does NOT get treated by the City’s Wastewater Treatment Plant.

To protect our waterways, the City is regulated by and complies with the Phase II Small MS4 General Permit that was adopted by the State Water Resources Control Board effective July 1, 2013. The Permit requires the City to have a stormwater program that controls the discharge of pollutants into the City’s storm drainage system and our waterways. The City’s Stormwater Program is multi-faceted and includes the following components:

Education and Outreach
Public Involvement and Participation
Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination
Construction
Pollution Prevention and Housekeeping
Post Construction
Program Effectiveness and Assessment

Watersheds

Our Watersheds

The Watershed area surrounding the City of Madera is transected by the Fresno River and is a major tributary of the San Joaquin River system. The Fresno River starts in the Oakhurst area, winding its way through the foothills, through Hensley Lake and on to the City of Madera. The river flows southwest past Madera then west to the Eastside Bypass and finally to the San Joaquin River, north of Highway 152.

What is a watershed?

A watershed is an area of land where all water running off the land drains to a particular location. This location can be a stream, river, lake, wetland or ocean. No matter where you live, work, or play, you are in a watershed. A watershed can be millions of square miles or just a few acres.

Watershed Management

Watershed Management is a holistic approach to managing the combined impacts to the water resources and habitats within a watershed. Examples of these impacts are land use practices, erosion, wastewater treatment systems, stormwater collection systems, and pesticide usage. There are four major features unique to watershed management. These features are:

Create an inventory of the watershed and target priority problems.
Involve a maximum amount of stakeholders in decision making.
Use the expertise and authority of the regulatory agencies.
Measure the success thorough monitoring and other data collection.

How You Can Protect Stormwater In & Around Your Home

Did you know that we get an average of 10-11 inches of rain per year in Madera? Have you ever wondered where all that water goes? In natural areas where urban development hasn’t occurred, stormwater absorbs into the ground. However, where urban development has occurred, there are more impervious surfaces, like rooftops, paved roads, and driveways, which limit the ability of the stormwater to be absorbed into the ground. As a result, stormwater flows across rooftops, over the ground, through gutters, into storm drains, and ultimately into the local waterways.

As the stormwater flows over the urban landscape, it picks up and carries whatever it comes into contact with along the way. This may include animal waste, automobile fluids, pesticides, litter, and other pollutants, which may harm local waterways. Here are some activities that can occur in and around your home that may impact stormwater, and how YOU can help prevent stormwater pollution. Remember, clean water starts with you!

Prevent Trash from Harming our Waterways - Wind and rain can carry trash that is on the road and sidewalk into storm drains. Once trash enters the storm drains it can either clog the drain and cause flooding, or it can flow into the local waterways where it can harm the aquatic wildlife.
- Never put or dispose of anything in the storm drain or drainage ditch.
- Keep garbage can lids secure to prevent wind from carrying trash onto the ground.
Be Water Wise - Water conservation is crucial to help prepare our community for future droughts and effects of climate change. Whether it’s falling from the sky or coming through our pipes, water is a precious resource that we all must help conserve.
- Sunrise/sunset watering: Water your lawn early in the morning or in the late afternoon when evaporation from the sun is low and the water has time to soak into the soil.
Keeping Your Car Maintained and Our Waterways Healthy - Follow some simple automotive best practices to keep your car—and the environment—running smoothly.
- Conduct regular car maintenance.
- Dispose of used oil, oil filters, antifreeze and car batteries at a collection center
Keeping Your Car Clean and Our Waterways Healthy - When you wash your car in the driveway or on the street, the wash water contains detergent, motor oil, gas, and other residues and can flow into nearby storm drains and ultimately the local creeks without being treated. Here are some steps you can take:
- Take your vehicle to commercial car wash facilities that recycle or treat the wash water.
- Wash your car on a permeable surface like grass or gravel to allow the ground to absorb the wash water and filter the soap and other residue.
An Opportunity for Paw-sitive Action - A single gram of dog waste contains 23 million bacteria, viruses, and/or parasites! When left on the ground, it decomposes and is either transported by water into the street and storm drain.
- Always bring plastic bags to pick up after your dog on walks and dispose of it in trash cans (not green waste bins).
- Pet waste is not only harmful, it's also against local Madera County laws to leave pet waste behind.
Preventing Yard Waste from Impacting Our Waterways - If yard waste (grass clippings, branches, leaves, and twigs) enters our creeks, it then acts as a fertilizer that can create excess algae growth and decrease the water’s oxygen supply, suffocating fish and spoiling water recreation.
- Do NOT dispose of yard waste in the landfill.
- Yard waste goes in your green waste container!
Be Careful When Handling Hazardous Household Products - Household hazardous waste (HHW) such as paint, automotive fluids, batteries, and pesticides may be corrosive, toxic, or flammable. They should be disposed of with a HHW facility instead of household garbage or poured/rinsed in a storm drain.
- See the City's Household Hazardous Waste page for more information
Choose to Go Less Toxic in Your Yard - Integrated Pest Management (IPM) offers natural and effective alternatives to conventional methods, which rely primarily on the application of pesticides. Pesticides not only cause harm to our environment and our health, they also only treat the symptom rather than the cause of pest problems.
- Look at environmental factors that affect the pest and its ability to thrive.
- Create conditions that are unfavorable for the pest.
Take Precaution with Your Pool Care Practices - Water from pools and spas often contains chemicals that are necessary for the use of the pool or spa, but that can be harmful to aquatic life and water quality. The information below explains where to discharge the water when you need to drain your pool or spa and how to properly dispose of pool-related wastes.
- Best Option - Draining your pool or spa water to the sanitary sewer (only option for saltwater pools).
Leaves - Leaves are messy! They can get carried away by stormwater or the wind and eventually end up in the storm drains. This can cause clogging within the storm drain and tribute to flooding in your neighborhood.

Gardening & Pesticides

We know that pest issues “bug” most residents. However, depending on how you try to resolve the issue, you may unknowingly cause harm to our local creeks and rivers.

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is a great solution to your pest problems. The University of California Statewide IPM Program defines IPM as “a process you can use to solve pest problems while minimizing risks to people and the environment.” Integrated Pest Management offers natural and effective alternatives to conventional methods, which rely primarily on the application of pesticides. Pesticides not only cause harm to our environment and our health, they also only treat the symptom rather than the cause of pest problems.

Looking at a pest problem through this lens means that you’ll:

Look at environmental factors that affect the pest and its ability to thrive.
Create conditions that are unfavorable for the pest.
Reap the benefits of a mostly pest-free, resilient, and more thriving garden ecosystem.

IPM focuses on a variety of approaches that, when taken together, deal more effectively with pest problems at their source. The IPM approaches include:

Mechanical/Physical: Try handpicking, barriers, traps or caulking holes to prevent infestations.
Biological: Rely on beneficial bugs like ladybugs and praying mantises to control harmful pests.
Chemical: Investigate the source of the pest problem and opt for the least toxic solution first. Find a list of non-toxic or less toxic alternative products here.
Cultural: Consider what environmental condition you might be creating that supports the pest’s continued survival.

Pest or Pal?

Did you know that not all insects in our gardens are pests? In fact, less than 2% of the insects you encounter in the garden will be pests, with the other 98% being beneficial or neutral! So, who are our friends and who are our foe? Our Water Our World’s “The 10 Most Wanted Bugs in Your Garden” is a helpful resource to learn about: beneficial insects, which flowers attract beneficial insects, the pests beneficial insects will naturally take care of, and more. Remember, this is IPM’s biological control approach, so you may be able to resolve or prevent pest problems on your own!

These gardening best practices can help protect our creeks and rivers by preventing an excess of harmful chemical entering our waterways. Learn more about pesticides and water quality here.

When using pesticides, follow these helpful tips for a healthy garden, home, and environment.

Selection: Select the least toxic option for getting rid of pests and improving the quality of your soil. All-natural compost does wonders. Find a list of non-toxic or less toxic alternative products here.
Use bait stations or insecticidal soaps: Consider using bait stations or insecticidal soaps and oils.
Moderation: Spot-apply pesticides or chemicals only to the area that needs treatment.
Timing: Application timing is important to allow all chemicals enough time to be absorbed and not run off into storm drains. Follow product directions—they often specify not to mow or water immediately before and after application.

Don’t use if it’s going to rain: Do not use pesticides if rain is forecast within 24 hours.
Irrigation: When watering your lawn, prevent landscape irrigation from running off your yard and into the streets and the storm drain system. Irrigation runoff transports pollutants, including pesticides, to the storm drain system and ultimately to local creeks and the City's ground water.
Disposal of ready-to-use containers: Empty containers that held ready-to-use chemicals can be thrown in the trash without rinsing them out.
Proper disposal: Residents can drop off leftover pesticides at the local household hazardous waste (HHW) for FREE at the City’s household hazardous waste facility.

Businesses

POLLUTION PREVENTION TIPS

Simple best management practices (BMPs) can prevent stormwater pollution and protect our local creeks and rivers! It means clean water, clean neighborhoods and it shows your customers that you care about your community.

The Industrial General Permit (IGP) is an NPDES permit issued by the State Water Resources Control Board that regulates discharges associated with nine broad categories of industrial activities, including manufacturing plants, mining operations, disposal sites, recycling centers and transportation facilities. The permit requires the development of a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) that identifies sources of pollution and describes the measures the facility has taken to reduce stormwater pollution.

If you own, manage or help operate an industrial or commercial business, you can help reduce stormwater pollution. From environmentally friendly cleaning and maintenance activities, to recycling hazardous waste materials, businesses can do a lot to prevent stormwater pollution. These industrial and commercial best practices can help protect our creeks and rivers.

The California Stormwater Quality Association (CASQA) produced the Industrial & Commercial BMP Online Handbook to provide general guidance for selecting and implementing BMPs to reduce pollutants in runoff from industrial and commercial facilities. This document is available for a fee.

Reduce Runoff

Take an inventory of your daily activities and look for specific ways you can reduce runoff into the storm drain system. Pay close attention to impervious outdoor surfaces like parking lots, loading docks, and maintenance yards.
Locate the storm drains on or near your property. Make sure trash or liquids are not flowing into those drains and that your employees understand where these drains are and how to protect them.
Sweep trash enclosures and close all trash bin lids. Avoid power washing with water!
Make sure that cooling towers, boilers, compressors, water softeners, and other equipment are connected to the sanitary sewer.
Store chemicals, waste, raw materials, and contaminated equipment indoors or in a covered, spill-contained area to prevent exposure to stormwater.

Spread the Word

Talk to and train your employees about the importance of implementing the industrial and commercial best practices.
Train employees to wash vehicles and equipment indoors in a wash rack connected to the sanitary sewer or at a commercial wash facility.
Train janitorial staff to dispose of floor cleaning water down a drain connected to the sewer and not onto the parking lot.

General BMPs

Review your cleaning and maintenance activities to look for ways to prevent runoff into the storm drain system, especially in outdoor areas like parking lots, loading docks, and maintenance yards.
Keep trash enclosures swept and trash bin lids closed.
Wash vehicles and equipment indoors in an area that is connected to the sanitary sewer or off-site at a commercial wash facility.
Make sure that cooling towers, boilers, compressors, water softeners, and other process equipment are connected to the sanitary sewer.
If you use hazardous materials in your everyday business, like ink and solvents for commercial printing, or polishes and chemicals for car detailing or manufacturing aftermarket accessories, do not put these hazardous materials in the trash or pour them into the gutter. Take them to be recycled safely.
Store chemicals, wastes, raw materials, and contaminated equipment indoors or in a covered, spill-contained area to prevent exposure of these materials to stormwater or storm drains.
Take advantage of less-toxic alternatives to dangerous chemicals. From detergents to drain openers, there are many ways to get the same or better results without having to rely on toxic substances.

Construction

Construction and Its Impact on Stormwater

Dirt Can Hurt

Dirt and other materials from construction projects are harmful to local creeks and aquatic life (fish and insects). Dirt can smother creek beds where fish and insects breed and hide.
Construction projects can release dirt and construction materials into the storm drains, which flow directly to the creeks.
Local, State, and Federal laws require construction projects to minimize the discharge of pollutants, like dirt, from leaving the construction site.
If you are disturbing the ground, it is important to do your part in protecting stormwater and creeks by implementing Best Management Practices.
Construction Best Management Practices, also called BMPs, include a variety of measures that help to minimize the discharge of dirt and other pollutants. All projects need to implement basic BMPs to protect stormwater and creeks.
If your project requires a permit (e.g., building or grading permits) from the City, you may need to develop an Erosion and Sediment Control Plan.
An Erosion and Sediment Control Plan or ESCP establishes the site-specific plan of actions and BMP that you will take to prevent dirt and other construction materials and waste from leaving your site. You will need to submit your ESCP for City approval with your permit application.
An ESCP needs to include an effective combination of erosion controls and sediment control to prevent dirt from leaving the site. The ESCP also needs to include good housekeeping practices to prevent construction materials and waste from leaving the site.

Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plans

Larger projects, that disturb an acre or more of land, need to obtain coverage under the State Water Board’s General Permit for Stormwater Discharges associated with construction activities. This permit is commonly called the Construction General Permit or CGP.

If your project will disturb an acre or more of land you will need to obtain coverage under the CGP and develop a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) that meets the requirements of the CGP.

Briefly, a SWPPP is a detailed site-specific plan to protect stormwater quality leaving the site. SWPPPs must be prepared by qualified individuals and assess the pollutant potential of the project and sensitivity of the receiving waters. A SWPPP needs to include the detailed BMP implementation plan as well as a construction site monitoring program of inspections and runoff sampling.

More details on the CGP requirements and SWPPPs can be found on the State Water Board’s Construction Stormwater Program page.

If your project is subject to the CGP, you will need to submit your SWPPP to the City with your permit application or application for development approvals. Before you start construction you will need to provide proof that you have obtained CGP coverage by providing your Waste Discharger Identification Number

Helpful Hints and Tips for Protecting Stormwater Quality During Construction Activities

Fully implement your BMPs year-round.
Implement an effective combination of erosion and sediment controls.
Prevent erosion by stabilizing disturbed soil, paying particular attention to exposed slopes.
Inspect your site, especially before and during storm events to make sure your BMPs are installed properly and are working effectively.
Keep BMP replacement supplies at the site to make repairs and handle unexpected events.
Train your staff and contractors on the BMPs and how to protect stormwater.
Maintain your construction entrance and exit points to minimize tracking and sweep the streets.
Maintain drain inlet and perimeter protection year-round.
Prevent discharges of anything but clean stormwater to the storm drains.
Protect stockpiles by covering them and surrounding them with perimeter controls.
Make sure you are prepared for the start of the rainy season

Minimum Control Measures for Small Construction Projects

Remember that storm drains and runoff flow directly to our creeks and rivers untreated. Taking minimum control measures for construction projects as noted below helps protect our waterways and their aquatic life.

Select an effective combination of control measures from each category, Erosion Control, Sediment Control, and Good Housekeeping. Control measures shall be continually implemented and maintained throughout the project until activities are complete, disturbed areas are stabilized with permanent erosion controls, and the local agency has signed off on permits that may have been required for the project. Inspect and maintain the control measures before and after rain events, and as required by the local agency or state permit.

There are 16 activities that can be categorized in to three areas; Erosion Controls, Sediment Controls, and Good Housekeeping.

Erosion Controls

Source control practices that protect soil and prevent soil particles from being detached by rainfall, flowing water, or wind.

1 – Scheduling: Scheduling allows you to plan activities when there is a lower chance of rain and to plan for BMP installation as the activities progress.

2 – Preserve Vegetation & Creek Set Backs: Existing vegetation is the best form of erosion control, doesn’t cost money to install, and requires little maintenance. Preserving vegetation between the site and creeks is especially important and required in some situations.

3 – Soil Cover: Soil cover products, like hydromulch, replace the erosion control benefit of vegetation removed during construction. These products can be quickly deployed over large (or small) disturbed areas for temporary protection and can be incorporated into final stabilization.

4 – Soil Preparation/Roughening: This practice prepares the soil for growing vegetation. Mechanically roughening the soil slows the water down and provides pockets that promote germination. Soil prep also includes testing the soil to identify if any amendments are needed to promote growth.

5 – Erosion Control Blankets: Soil cover products, like erosion control blankets, replace the erosion control benefit of vegetation removed during construction. These products are used for temporary projection and can be incorporated into final stabilization.

6 – Revegetation: Revegetation re-establishes vegetation on the areas of the site disturbed by construction to prevent erosion. It is part of the final stabilization of the site but may also be needed for temporary protection during the project.

Sediment Controls

Practices that trap soil particles (sediment) after they have been detached by rainfall, flowing water, or wind.

7 – Tracking Controls: Tracking controls are a suite of practices that limit the amount of dirt and mud tracked from a project into the street. Keeping dirt out of the street helps to keep it out of the storm drains and reduces complaints from neighbors.

8 – Fiber Rolls: Fiber rolls intercept runoff, reduce its velocity, and trap sediment behind the roll. They also reduce the length of a slope, which reduces sheet and rill erosion.

9 – Silt Fence: Silt fences detain (pond) water promoting sedimentation behind the fence.

10 – Drain Inlet Protection: Drain Inlet Protection (DI) is used as a last line of defense. It temporarily ponds water at the drain inlet, allowing some sediment to settle out. Some forms of DI protection can filter sediment during low flow events.

Good Housekeeping

Practices that prevent pollution by limiting the exposure of construction materials with rain, flowing water, or wind. These practices involve keeping a clean and orderly construction site.

11 – Concrete Washout: These practices prevent the discharge of high pH concrete wastewater into the ground or storm drains.

12 – Stockpile Management: These practices and procedures protect loose stockpiled materials from washing or blowing off the projects site.

13 – Hazardous Material Management: These practices prevent the discharge of hazardous materials by using proper storage of materials and wastes, and by minimizing the quantity of materials stored.

14 – Sanitary Waste Management: Proper management of sanitary waste facilities, e.g., portable toilets, prevents the discharge of wastewater to the ground and storm drains.

15 – Equipment and Vehicle Maintenance: These practices prevent discharges of vehicle fluids and wastes by limiting on-site maintenance and using practices a to contain and clean up small leaks and drips.

16 – Litter and Waste Management: These practices prevent the discharge of trash and wastes from the project site by using covered and contained trash cans and bins.

Links and Resources

Local Resources:

Regional Resources:

National Resources:

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Stormwater Pollution?

Stormwater and runoff from sprinklers or hoses that isn’t absorbed into the ground flows over various surfaces throughout the urban landscape before entering a storm drain. These different surfaces may contain pollutants such as animal waste, automobile fluids, fertilizers, and pesticides, which may then be carried into the storm drains and harm local waterways.

What's the Problem?

Stormwater and runoff from sprinklers or hoses may wash pollutants from streets, industrial or commercial facilities, construction sites, and the urban landscape into storm drains. Eventually, this runoff may flow into local streams, creeks, and ravines without being treated.
Remember: a sanitary sewer system and a storm drain system are not the same. Water that goes down a sink, shower, or other indoor plumbing drain flows to either a wastewater treatment plant or to a septic system for treatment. In contrast, water that flows into a storm drain is not treated.

How Does Stormwater Pollution Affect my Community?

Since stormwater and other runoff can pick up materials from the urban landscape and flow into the storm drain system untreated, it may harm local waterways. Examples of these adverse impacts include, but are not limited to:
- Nutrients such as phosphorus and nitrogen can cause the overgrowth of algae resulting in oxygen depletion in waterways.
- Hazardous substances from motor vehicles and the over-application of pesticides and fertilizers may harm fish and other aquatic life.
- Bacteria from animal wastes and improper connections to storm drain systems can make lakes and waterways unsafe for wading, swimming, and fish consumption.
- Trash can clog storm drains, which can contribute to flooded streets during storm events and be unsightly to your neighborhood.

How Can I Help?

We’re glad you asked! Every Madera business and resident plays a vital role in helping reduce the potential impacts of stormwater runoff. Here are a few tips that can help protect our city. Remember — Clean Water Starts With You!
- Only rainwater down the storm drain. Don’t dump anything into the curb and gutter or storm drains. Be sure to clear away leaves and debris.
- Dispose of Trash and Litter. Make sure that you pick up any trash that you or your family may have dropped on sidewalks or streets and dispose of it within a trash receptacle.
- Drop off hazardous waste. Be sure to always take household hazardous waste (HHW) like antifreeze, paints, solvents, cleaners, and old batteries to a certified collection facility. Check out the Madera Recycling & Garbage site for more information.
- Pick up after your pets: Please pick up your animal’s waste, not only on your own lawn, but also when you walk your pet. This will reduce the amount of bacteria that gets into our waterways. (TIP: Animal waste can not be composted! Please make sure all pet waste goes into the trash bin or receptacle.)
- Keep your car well-maintained. Fix any fluid leaks promptly and make sure to clean up any spills. Recycle used oil at Certified Collection Centers in your neighborhood found here.
- Conserve when watering your lawn. Especially in the time of drought, overwatering not only wastes a precious and expensive resource, it also creates runoff, which can pick up pollutants and enter the storm drains and waterways.
- Use lawn or garden chemicals sparingly. Choose organic alternatives when possible and avoid applying chemicals before a rainstorm. Review the Our Water Our World website to find less toxic products or alternative methods for managing pests in your home and garden.
- Grasscycle. Grasscycling is a simple solution to the problem and involves nothing more than leaving your clippings on the lawn instead of disposing of them. The trimmed blades quickly and naturally break down, and serve as a natural fertilizer. It’s free, it’s easy, and produces no waste at all!
- Wash your car over your lawn or gravel. This allows the ground to filter the soap and grime from your car’s wash water rather than allowing it to flow to the storm drain and, ultimately, to our creeks and streams. Use biodegradable or non-toxic soap that is phosphate-free. You can also take your car to a commercial car wash where wastewater is either recycled or treated.
- Report illegal dumping. To report illegal dumping, see information on the Recycle Madera Website.
- Start a conversation. Educate friends, family, and neighbors. Share what you know about stormwater pollution with everyone you know!