Stormwater Pollution Prevention

Font Size: + -

Feedback Print

Under the Hermosa Pier looking toward sunset

SAFE CLEAN WATER

When it rains, stormwater washes bacteria, trash, and other pollutants into our rivers, lakes, and ocean, harming people and aquatic life. The Safe Clean Water Program helps keep pollution out of our water by funding stormwater capture projects and supporting essential municipal programs for pollution prevention. Learn more on how our city and watershed will keep pollution out of our waterways here: https://safecleanwaterla.org/about.

If you would like to engage in the planning and implementation of City activities funded by the Safe Clean Water Program, please contact Doug Krauss at dkrauss@hermosabeach.gov.

The City of Hermosa Beach is very proactive in its efforts to reduce pollution reaching our ocean. In addition to comprehensive, long-term efforts to meet State pollution reduction mandates, the City has implemented many measures to keep its community and ocean clean. Below are descriptions of some of these measures as well as links to other pages where more information can be found.

Additionally, the City is currently working to update its Enhanced Watershed Management Program (EWMP). This program is a collaboration between the cities of Hermosa Beach, Torrance, Redondo Beach, Manhattan Beach and the Los Angeles County Flood Control District (Beach Cities group) to comply with the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board's 2012 National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permit. These agencies have been working closely for nearly a decade to implement programs and complete projects that will reduce pollution reaching our oceans. This includes such programs as: weekly street sweeping, providing bags for pet waste, and inspections of targeted businesses. In addition, the Beach Cities Group must also construct projects throughout the region to capture stormwater run-off and eliminate pollution.

The Beach Cities Group, in coordination with Geosyntec and Murakawa Communications, hosted a virtual webinar on Wednesday, May 19, 2021, to present the EWMP Update program and to gather feedback from the community. Below is a link to a video of that presentation:

https://youtu.be/1RIEmkCGamc

If you have any questions, please email Info@BeachCitiesEWMP.com or contact Hermosa Beach’s Environmental Programs Manager at dkrauss@hermosabeach.gov. We look forward to engaging with you about this crucial infrastructure program that will benefit your community now and in the future!

Flo on the Go - Mobile Washing Tip Sheet

Catch Basin Screens

Completed in 2022, the City recently finished Phase 2 of its catch basin screen installation. This project installed full-capture trash screens in every remaining and feasible catch basin in Hermosa Beach. This will help eliminate trash and other pollutants from entering our storm drain system and ultimately the ocean. Additional stormwater pollution prevention projects are being explored to further eliminate pollutants from the storm drain system.

Hermosa Avenue Green Street Project

The City of Torrance successfully applied for a Proposition 12 Santa Monica Bay Restoration Grant to fund a Beach Cities Green Street Project. This grant will help fund a number of green street projects in Torrance, Manhattan Beach, Redondo Beach and Hermosa Beach. This includes the Hermosa Avenue Green Street Project which will improve Hermosa Avenue between Herondo Street and 4th Street to include a number of green street elements that will help reduce pollution from stormwater runoff. The City of Torrance will act as lead on the project and has hired an engineering consultant to help design the projects and do community outreach.

More information can be found here.

Parking Lot D Project

Clean Bay Restaurant Program

The City annually inspects all restaurants in town as part of the Clean Bay Restaurant program, developed by the Bay Foundation. This program focuses on stormwater pollution prevention at these businesses but also includes attention to a number of other sustainability measures. Businesses that are able to demonstrate compliance with a comprehensive list of measures are then recognized by the City annually and able to display a Clean Bay Certified decal. For more information, contact Doug Krauss, Environmental Programs Manager, at dkrauss@hermosabeach.gov

Green Business Program

The City is very grateful to be able to support the green business practices of local businesses through its Green Business Program. Led by the California Green Business Network, this statewide program helps local businesses implement green business practices and receive recognition by becoming a certified green business. The program assesses a comprehensive list of environmental measures at these businesses including pollution prevention. For more information, go to greenbusinessca.org to register or contact our program coordinator, Lisa Ryder at lisarydermoore@gmail.com.

Single-Use Plastics Ordinance

Other Measures and What You Can Do To Help

The City is always exploring additional projects and programs to improve its stormwater pollution prevention. These efforts have been taking place for decades and continue to evolve with new rules and the needs of the community. For instance:

Did you know there is an infiltration chamber under the beach south of the Pier that treats stormwater run-off from all of Pier Avenue?

Did you know that regular street sweeping is actually a requirement of State stormwater regulations?

We also encourage the community to help do its part to help. Keeping litter off the streets is fundamental to this goal. Cleaning up after your pets is another simple but vital step to prevent pollution and keep the City clean. This page will continue to be updated as new helpful information becomes available.

Here is a link to our guide for reducing your water use and preventing pollution through harvesting rainwater at your home: Rainwater Harvesting Guide

More information on environmental programs can be found here.