Reports of Pollutant Discharges, Facility Inspections, and Deficiencies All Increased in 2023/24
Stormwater pollution refers to urban water runoff that picks up pollutants as it flows through the storm drain system—a network of channels, gutters, and pipes that collect rain and snowmelt. Eventually, the runoff empties untreated directly into local rivers and lakes. Pollutants in stormwater runoff, such as litter, pet waste, motor oil, paint, antifreeze, pesticides, fertilizers, and toxic household chemicals, can have serious effects. They can contaminate drinking water supplies and harm the local environment and wildlife. Trash and debris accumulated in catch basins may create foul odors and attract pests. Flooding may also occur due to blocked storm drains during heavy rain events. Effective stormwater management reduces pollution, blocked drains, and flooding. To track stormwater quality management in the Santa Ana River watershed, this indicator shows reports of illegal discharges of pollutants into surface waterways and storm drains. Also measured are facility inspections and any resulting enforcement actions.
What Contributes to Illegal Discharge Reporting?
Increases in reports of illegal discharges can be attributed to population growth and greater public awareness that leads to more incident reporting, while decreases can be attributed to fewer severe weather events leading to debris blockage as well as improved public compliance with posted signs and laws related to dumping.
TREND
In 2023/24, there were 107 illegal discharge events in the San Bernardino County portion of the Santa Ana River Basin, which is an 81% increase in the number of reported spills since 2022/23. Among those illegal discharge events, 6 required enforcement action, such as a notice of violation, fines, or verbal outreach and education. This equates to almost 6% of all illegal discharges reported.
REPORTED ILLEGAL DISCHARGE EVENTS INCREASE, YET NUMBER REQUIRING ENFORCEMENT ACTION REMAINS LOW
Illegal Discharge and Spill Events and Number that Required Enforcement Action in the Santa Ana River Basin (San Bernardino County portion), 2019/20-2023/24
San Bernardino Areawide Stormwater Program members conducted 4,244 inspections of industrial and commercial facilities and construction sites in 2023/24. This number of inspections is 26% more than the prior year, and 30% more than five years ago. Of the total number of inspections in 2023/24, 1,202 inspections (or 28%) resulted in deficiencies requiring corrective action. This number of inspections and the proportion that resulted in deficiencies is considerably higher than the previous four years, but similar to levels before the COVID-19 pandemic.
DEFICIENCIES INCREASE ALONG WITH INCREASE IN INSPECTIONS
San Bernardino Areawide Stormwater Program Inspections of Commercial, Construction, and Industrial Facilities and Number with Deficiencies Requiring Enforcement Action, 2019/20 – 2023/24