Santa Clara Valley Nonpoint Source
Pollution Control (NPS) Program

The NPS program is a cooperative effort of the Santa Clara Valley Water District (SCVWD), Santa Clara County, and the 13 cities in the county from which storm water flows into south San Francisco Bay (excludes Morgan Hill and Gilroy). The SCVWD manages and coordinates the Program, but each jurisdiction is responsible for implementing agency-specific activities locally.

The Program results from several regulatory developments:

1. federal regulation of municipal and industrial storm water discharges,
2. San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board 1991 Basin Plan requirements,
3. new State Water Resources Control Board regulations, and
4. the listing of south San Francisco Bay as an "impacted body of water" under the Clean Water Act (sec. 304(l)).

In response to these requirements, efforts to control nonpoint source pollution (see below: Nonpoint Source Pollution: What is It?) are being directed at both the residential and business communities.

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Nonpoint Source Pollution: What is It?

Unlike water pollutants that come from a single point source, such as factory or sewage treatment plant outflows, "nonpoint source pollutants" are washed off by rainfall and carried away by storm water from all over: streets, neighborhoods, farmlands, construction sites, parking lots, uncovered work areas, and other exposed surfaces.

Because storm drains are separate from the sanitary sewer system, these polluted waters flow directly into the creeks and bay without treatment, damaging aquatic life and water quality.

The primary pollutants of concern from urban industries are heavy metals (especially cadmium, copper, lead, mercury, nickel, and zinc) and oil and grease.

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Summary of Requirements/Activities:

The NPS Program impacts industry through various control activities:

• Illegal Dumping Elimination - The Program identifies and eliminates intentional dumping of wastes into storm drains, open channels, and other water ways.
• Illicit Connection Elimination - The Program identifies and eliminates unauthorized connections to the storm drain system.
• Industrial Dischargers Program - The Program identifies sources of industrial runoff and controls industrial contamination of storm water through voluntary and regulatory (permit) methods.

  Specific industries need to file with the State Water Resources Control Board for coverage under general storm water discharge permits unless they can show that industrial contamination of storm water will not occur. Permits involve:

  • Filing of a Notice of Intent (NOI)
  • An annual fee
  • Prohibition of unauthorized non-storm water discharges into storm drains, open channels, and other waterways
  • Development and implementation of a Storm Water Pollution
  • Prevention Plan (measures to prevent contamination of storm water/runoff by industrial materials or substances)
  • Development and implementation of a monitoring program
  • Reporting requirements

A permit will no longer be required once a facility eliminates the potential for contamination of storm water and other runoff.

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Storm Water Drainage Well (Dry Well) Registration
Dry wells have been known to cause groundwater contamination and are regulated under federal, state, and local programs. Continued use or destruction of existing wells or construction of new wells requires notification of the SCVWD. For more information, contact the Groundwater Protection Advisor at (408) 927-0710.

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Resources Available From The NPS Program:

• Storm Water Pollution Control Compliance Manual, 6/92, $25
  (Step-by-step guide to filing, obtaining a permit, and compliance.)
• Industry-specific "Best Management Practices" manuals and brochures as developed. (Currently available for industrial facilities, automotive repair, construction trades and roadwork, landscape/gardening and pool maintenance, mobile cleaners and detailers, and restaurants. Call for information about other manuals planned for production.)
• "Best Management Practices" poster for automotive repair shops

Call the NPS Program Information Line at 800-794-2482 for additional information.