Report Storm Drain Dumping

If you have witnessed anything other than rainwater entering a storm drain, report it in one of the following ways.

Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
(510) 494-4570

After Hours
911

Report Online
Get FremontApp.com for your phone

Email
environment@fremont.gov

The information that you provide will help us to maintain the health of our creeks and Bay.

Storm Drain System

The storm drain system, also known as a Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System or MS4, prevents flooding when it rains. This system moves water away from an area to a local water body, such as a creek or channel. The storm drain system includes the inlets (storm drains) and gutters on your street as well as pipes and outfalls, where the stormwater enters the water body.

Stormwater Pollution

Stormwater is the polluted runoff gathered from rain and severe thunderstorms from roads, parking lots, and other impervious surfaces, where runoff collects pollutants and carries them downstream, ultimately into the San Francisco Bay. When it rains, stormwater picks up whatever is in the street: trash, oil, waste, fertilizers, pesticides, chemicals, pet waste, and sediment.

That polluted runoff flows down storm drains, through stormwater pipes, to places where the pipes empty directly, without filtration or cleaning, into our creeks, channels, and the Bay.

Polluted runoff makes our waterways unsafe for swimming, threatens seafood, and causes localized flooding and property damage. These pollutants then contaminate not only our watersheds, but also our drinking water sources. Polluted runoff causes beach closures and water contact and seafood consumption advisories. In fact, scientists are now discovering intersex fish as a result of the chemicals in the increased polluted runoff into local waterways.

Non-Stormwater Pollution

Any polluted runoff caused by humans is referred to as non-stormwater pollution and is a violation of the Fremont Municipal Code and the Federal Clean Water Act. Examples of non-stormwater pollution are:

• concrete wash water
• dumping of oil in street or storm drains
• power washing runoff
• cigarette butts, littering

Because water enters Fremont’s storm drain system flows directly into the nearest water bodies and ultimately to the Bay without treatment, it is critical to keep it pollutant free.