The County of San Diego is working to improve water quality through
effective stormwater management and infrastructure investments. The
County is working to implement projects that treat stormwater and
irrigation runoff, reduce specific pollutants impacting local
waterbodies, and remove trash from the County’s municipal separate
storm sewer system (MS4). Green infrastructure and capital improvement
projects are identified to support the priorities established in the
Water Quality Improvement Plans (WQIPs) for each
of the eight watersheds that are in the unincorporated county. Water
quality treatment strategies employed include biofiltration/retention
basins, tree wells, pervious pavement, and screen/filter devices.
Where possible, the County seeks to implement multi-benefit projects
that improve water quality while also enhancing our resiliency to
climate change and contributing to unincorporated communities that are
sustainable and thriving.
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Interested in projects that are out to bid? Please refer to the County’s online procurement system, BuyNet.
Current Projects
In Development: Cole Grade Road Enhanced BMP, Valley Center
In Development: Woodside Avenue Green Streets and Sidewalks, Lakeside
Recently Completed Projects
Riverside Drive Channel Retrofit Project (Lakeside)
A Green Streets Clean Water Plan is being developed to identify multi-benefit green streets opportunities within the village areas of the western draining watersheds in the unincorporated County. Green streets are projects that implement green infrastructure BMPs within the County’s road right-of-way (ROW) to capture, slow, and filter stormwater. These BMPs are designed to treat runoff from impervious areas such as streets, sidewalks, and adjacent land areas. When integrated with complete streets and within development projects, they create additional urban greening and support walking, biking, and transit use, which in-turn supports economic, health, environmental, and community benefits.
In 2015, the State Water Resources Control Board adopted regulations
requiring local agencies to control the discharge of trash from the
MS4 into surface waters (Trash Amendments). The Trash Amendments,
which establish trash narrative water quality objectives, will be
incorporated into the MS4 Permit upon its reissuance (currently
scheduled for late 2021), and will prohibit the discharge of trash
into the storm drain system. The County of San Diego has selected to
implement measures to install, operate, and maintain full capture
systems for all storm drains that capture runoff from priority land
uses in the unincorporated County. For more information, please view
the Trash Amendments Track 1 Implementation Plan
submitted to the Regional Water Quality Control Board on December 3,
2018.
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