The San Francisco Bay is part of your daily life. Every drop of water we use at home and work drains into San Francisco Bay - the defining landmark of our region. Wastewater travels from kitchens and bathrooms and is cleaned of biological wastes at the Regional Water Quality Control Plant before it's discharged to the Bay. Rain and garden runoff enters creeks and the Bay without treatment.
Wastewater and stormwater carry pollutants from everyday activities like cooking, gardening, maintaining your car, and even spring-cleaning your garage and medicine cabinet. We've provided a few tips that will help keep pollutants out of the Bay - and make your home safer for your family.
No Drugs Down the Drain Don't flush expired or unused drugs down toilets or drains. Dispose of medications at a take-back location. [more]
Vehicle Pollution Prevention Residents and businesses need to do what they can to keep vehicle pollutants out of the environment. [more]
Less-Toxic Pest Control Come find more information about how residents can reduce pesticide use at home and how the City reduces pesticides used at City properties and public areas. [more]
Mercury Pollution Prevention San Francisco Bay is contaminated by mercury-an element used in many household items, which is also a potent human nerve toxin. [more]
Reporting Spills, Dumping, and Back-Ups If you notice any unusual substance in or around a storm drain, or if you see someone dumping anything into the storm drain, street, or gutter, to local creeks or the Bay, or elsewhere in the outdoor environment, report it to us. [more]
Copper Excessive amounts of copper can be toxic to the Bay's ecosystem. Find out how you can reduce the amount of copper being released to the environment. [more]
