Commercial, Construction, and Industrial Facilities Showed Increased Compliance
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 San Bernardino County portion of the Santa Ana River basin, 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.
TREND
In 2024/25, there were 132 illegal discharge events reported in the San Bernardino County portion of the Santa Ana River basin, which is a 1-year increase of 23%, but a 4% decrease since the 138 reports five years ago. Among those illegal discharge events, 11% (15 events) required enforcement action, such as a notice of violation, fines, or verbal outreach and education—up from 6% of all illegal discharges the prior year.
San Bernardino Areawide Stormwater Program members conducted 4,607 inspections of industrial and commercial facilities and construction sites in 2024/25. This number of inspections is 9% more than the prior year, and 23% more than five years ago. Of the total number of inspections in 2024/25, 728 inspections (or 16%) resulted in deficiencies requiring corrective action. These data suggest a higher level of compliance in 2024/25 than the prior year, when 28% of inspections resulted in corrective action.
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.
REPORTED ILLEGAL DISCHARGE EVENTS AND NUMBER REQUIRING ENFORCEMENT ACTION INCREASED IN 2024/25
Illegal Discharge and Spill Events and Number that Required Enforcement Action in the Santa Ana River Basin (San Bernardino County Portion), 2020/21-2024/25
INSPECTIONS INCREASE WHILE DEFICIENCES DECREASE
San Bernardino Areawide Stormwater Program Inspections of Commercial, Construction, and Industrial Facilities and Number with Deficiencies Requiring Enforcement Action, 2020/21-2024/25