The City of La Cañada Flintridge believes protecting our waterways is part of maintaining a beautiful city. La Cañada Flintridge is located in the Upper Los Angeles River watershed. Rainfall and runoff flow from watersheds to local storm drains, creeks, and the Pacific Ocean without being treated. It is important to keep our watersheds clean to ensure beautiful, healthy, and safe rivers and beaches.

What is stormwater?

Stormwater is runoff from rainfall that drains through natural and urban areas. Stormwater flows into storm drains, through creeks and eventually into the ocean and can pick up urban pollutants along the way. The City has a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit by which the City must take many measures to prevent stormwater pollution. The permit contains multiple programs that are implemented by the City: public outreach, illicit discharge and illicit connection elimination, development planning, development construction, commercial and industrial facilities inspections, and public agency activities. With the implementation of these programs, the City can achieve water-quality standards as enforced by the Regional Water Quality Control Board – Los Angeles.

Select the items below to learn more about how elements of daily life can impact stormwater runoff.

Landscape runoff can send harmful pollutants such as chemicals, fertilizer, and trash into our storm drain system. Below are some tips to save water and help prevent pollution

  • Install drip irrigation or rotary nozzles
  • Inspect for broken, bent or sunken sprinkler heads, clogged nozzles and leaks
  • Check sprinklers to ensure they are not watering walls or sidewalks

Click here for more ways to limit irrigation runoff.

The City provides trash and recycling services on a weekly basis; remember to set out your waste containers on collection day and follow the tips below to limit trash contamination into stormwater runoff

  • Do not litter and place all trash in the appropriate waste container
  • Do not overfill your waste containers
  • Always place trash, including cigarette butts, in a proper waste receptacle

Accumulated and improperly disposed of pet waste that includes harmful bacteria can potentially wash into storm drains and flow directly into streams during runoff events such as rain or over irrigation. Below are some ways pet and horse owners can prevent runoff contamination

  • Always pick up after your pets and dispose of waste in a nearby trash can
  • Put dog waste in a sealed bag to prevent spillage during collection
  • Cat litter should be disposed of in the trash in a sealed bag
  • Dispose of horse manure daily in a sturdy and insect-resistant trash/waste bin on an impervious surface, concrete pad or plastic tarp

Click here to learn more about stormwater pollution prevention tips for pet and horse owners.

When not properly discharged, residential pool water treated with chemicals such as chlorine, bromine and salt enters surface waters into local water quality and is toxic to wildlife and fish. To properly discharge pool water:

  • Prepare the pool water to meet de-chlorinated or de-brominated standards
  • Determine the drainage method and control volume and velocity of the discharge
  • Do not discharge pool water directly into a natural waterway as it will have a direct impact on the ecosystem
  • Report illicit discharges to the City at 818-790-8882

Click here to learn more about how to discharge your pool water.

Disposing of detergents and soapy water into streets and gutters can carry harmful pollutants into the storm drain and harm the environment. Follow these tips below when washing vehicles at home

  • Wash on pervious surfaces
  • Use environmentally friendly products
  • Conserve Water

Click here to learn more about how to wash vehicles at home.

Household fertilizers, pesticides, and other hazardous wastes are toxic. Always follow the directions on the container and follow these other steps to prevent stormwater pollution

  • Do not dump anything into the streets, gutter or storm drain inlets
  • Avoid washing off driveways, sidewalks and walkways
  • Avoid application before the rain
  • Check the City’s Household Hazard Waste program for collection centers and events near you

You can help!

Report Illegal Dumping or Discharges. Please call the countywide hotline at 1-888-CLEANLA or alert the City.

Take Action! Volunteer at a local creek cleanup. Consider joining a California Coastal Cleanup Day or a Friends of the LA River event.

Report Illegal Dumping or Discharge
Household Hazardous Waste
Helpful Links