A great deal of water pollution is caused by the things that we do everyday. What we leave on sidewalks and streets impacts our water quality. When it rains, storm water mixes with trash, antifreeze, motor oil, and other undesirable items. Storm water flows off the sidewalk or street to the nearest storm drain. Storm drains are large, underground pipes designed to prevent flooding on streets and sidewalks of Hercules. Storm water eventually flows into San Pablo Bay.

REPORTING A PROBLEM:

• To report illegal dumping/spills in the creek or an illicit discharge into the City’s storm drain system, please use the Hercules Connect app (available in the Apple App Store and Google Play), complete our online Code Enforcement Complaint Form, call (510) 799-8244, or call 1-800-NO DUMPING (1-800-663-8674).
• For emergency situations such as a hazardous waste spill or a situation that will result in the imminent and substantial danger to the health and safety of persons, please call Police/Fire Dispatch at (510) 724-1111 or call 911.

CLEAN WATER INFORMATION:

The Clean Water Program is dictated by State and Federal environmental mandates, requiring every City to comply under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit. Thus the City of Hercules has implemented the following programs:

• Street Sweeping
  The Street Sweeping Program was initiated to catch the trash and debris before it reaches the storm drain systems and creeks. All residential streets are swept on a monthly basis and all main streets are swept twice-a month or weekly. The Street Sweeping Map (PDF) shows when your street will be swept. The street sweeping schedule is designed to work in conjunction with the trash collection schedule. To assist us in keeping our streets and creeks clean, please do not park your vehicle on the street the day your street will be swept.
• Storm Drain Maintenance
  As part of the Clean Water Program, the City initiated the Storm Drain Collection System Maintenance and Clean-Up Program. The goal of this program is to prevent silt and debris from entering into the creeks and eventually into the bay. Annually, staff inspects approximately 300 catch basins throughout the City. Based on these inspections, catch basin and storm drain mains are cleaned twice a year, before and after the rainy season. Citywide Storm Drain Maps are available at the City Hall Permit Counter.
• Concrete-V-Ditch Maintenance
  The Concrete-V-Ditch Maintenance Program was created to ensure leaves, dirt, and debris from the City’s open spaces do not reach our creeks. The V-Ditches are inspected and maintained between July and August of every year. 
• Creek Maintenance
  The Creek Maintenance Program was created to remove man-made debris at all choking points and culverts, and to clear excessive vegetation along Refugio Lake, Refugio Creek, and Ohlone Creek. The program is done on an annual basis and must be completed prior to the winter storm season. All work associated with the Creek Maintenance Program has to be permitted by the State Department of Fish and Game. Staff coordinates all permitting, approvals, and contracts with the East Bay Conservation Corps and/or other qualified contractors.
• Green Infrastructure
  

  The Green Infrastructure refers to the construction and retrofit of storm drainage to reduce  runoff  volumes,  disperse  runoff  to  vegetated  areas,  harvest  and  use  runoff where feasible, promote infiltration and evapotranspiration, and use bioretention and other natural systems to detain and treat runoff before it reaches our creeks and Bay.  Green  infrastructure  facilities  include,  but  are  not  limited  to,  pervious  pavement, infiltration basins, bioretention facilities or “raingardens”, green roofs, and rainwater harvesting systems.  Green infrastructure can be incorporated into construction on new and previously developed parcels, as well as new and rebuilt streets, roads, and other infrastructure within the public right-of-way. 

  City of Hercules - Green Infrastructure Plan (6.30.2019)

• Integrated Pest Management
  The City of Hercules has established an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) policy, which covers City-owned and managed facilities. It is intended to reduce pesticide applications and use non-toxic methods as much as possible with minimum impacts on human health and the environment.
  
  City of Hercules – IMP Policy

What's in the Car Wash Kit?

• Instructions
• Submersible pump
• Two 50-ft. extension cords
• Roll of duct tape
• 3-ft. x 4-ft heavy duty rubber mat
• 50-ft. or longer garden hose
• Two spray nozzles
• Three safety cones

For more information regarding the Clean Water Program, please contact the Public Works Department at (510) 799-8244 or visit the Contra Costa County Clean Water Program website.

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