Irrigation Runoff

Preventing irrigation runoff from entering our streets and storm drains helps conserve water and protect our waterways from pollution!  All sources of pollution, including irrigation runoff, are prohibited from leaving your property; only rainwater is allowed in the streets and storm drains.

Did you know…

• Even when water restrictions are lifted, irrigation runoff is still prohibited by the State, local agencies, and water districts.

• Irrigation runoff can pick up pollutants that accumulate on the ground like dirt, bacteria, trash, and motor oil, and carry it into the nearest storm drain. Eventually, bacteria and other pollutants in the storm drain system could enter our creeks and beaches untreated.

• Releasing pollutants directly or indirectly into the storm drain system is a violation of the County’s Watershed Protection Ordinance (WPO). 

• The County of San Diego conducts regular surveys of irrigated areas to help property owners identify and eliminate sources of irrigation runoff per the Water Quality Improvement Plan strategies.

• Your local water district may offer other resources such as irrigation system audits and incentives or rebates to help conserve water and eliminate irrigation runoff. 

What can I do?

• Manage irrigation carefully: adjust sprinklers so they don’t spray onto streets or sidewalks and repair leaking or broken sprinklers as soon as possible.  Watch the free instructional video listed in the resources below titled "Understanding Your Irrigation Controller" - Courtesy of Helix Water District. 

• Use Best Management Practices (BMPs): BMPs are techniques or controls used to prevent or reduce the discharge of pollutants, such as irrigation runoff, into the storm drain system. BMPs that prevent irrigation runoff include watering in short cycles to allow water to absorb into the soil or covering your yard drain with a mat while watering.

Want to learn more?

The resources below provide suggested BMPs and further information on how to protect our waterways: