FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS Why are we marking the curbs and gutters with a message? Where does the storm drain go? What is the purpose of the storm drain system? What can you put down the storm drain? Why shouldn't yard trimmings and soil go into the storm drain? Doesn't rain wash the same kind of material into the creek anyway? What do I do if I see someone dumping something other than rain water down a storm drain? If I leave a complaint, will my name and address be kept confidential? Did you know that... 1.  Why are we marking the curbs and gutters with a message? Storm drain marking is a great way to remind people that storm drains are for clean rain water only. It’s a visual reminder that pollution prevention is important.   2.  Where does the storm drain go? Water that flows down driveways and streets into a gutter goes into a storm drain which eventually flows onto the beach.   3.  What is the purpose of the storm drain system? Its purpose is to prevent flooding of streets and highways by quickly and efficiently transferring rain water into creeks, and eventually the beach.   4.  What can you put down the storm drain? Local ordinances prohibit anything other than uncontaminated rain water from entering the storm drain system. Never pour anything into a gutter, street or storm drain.   5.  Why shouldn't yard trimmings and soil go into the storm drain? Doesn't rain wash the same kind of material into the creek anyway? When natural materials, such as grass clippings, break down, oxygen is drawn from the water. In a natural setting the amount of this debris would be limited to the leaves of those plants and trees bordering creeks. However, in our urban setting leaves and dirt on paved areas throughout the entire City are washed into the ocean. A lot of natural debris can ruin the natural balance of the ocean and harm fish. In addition, pesticides, oil leaked onto roads and driveways, and other pollutants are a less costly way to prevent storm water pollution.   6.  What do I do if I see someone dumping something other than rain water down a storm drain? Call the City’s Hotline Number at (949) 497-0378 during working hours.  After 5 p.m. call the Laguna Beach Police Department at (949) 497-0701.   7.  If I leave a complaint, will my name and address be kept confidential? Yes!  State Penal Codes allow us to keep the complainant's name confidential even through freedom of information act requests!   8.  Did you know that...   Only after industrial sources of pollution were controlled did scientists and lawmakers realize how much pollution comes from average Americans doing everyday things. Currently 50-80% of all water quality problems in the state are the result of polluted runoff. Water is a universal solvent. When it falls as rain, it literally scours off contaminants that lie on rooftops, gardens and sidewalks–from cigarettes to pet waste to slug poison carrying these pollutants into the creeks. Most pollutants end up as water pollution. For more FAQs see: http://www.ochealthinfo.com/regulatory/ocean/faqs.htm