Caltrans launches education campaign on stormwater pollution

The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) is working to increase public awareness about the sources and distribution of stormwater pollution through a new education and outreach campaign called “Protect Every Drop.”

“Clean water is essential for our quality of life in California, and it’s important to ‘Protect Every Drop’,” Caltrans Director Malcolm Dougherty said. “Every motorist needs to do their part to keep California’s waterways clean.”

Caltrans’ campaign will focus on how the public can help reduce stormwater pollution, including measure such as routine vehicle and tire maintenance, proper disposal of trash and ensuring that truck loads are properly covered so that no materials are blown off during travel. The campaign will also cover how pesticides and bacteria can negatively impact local water quality.

“Stormwater testing shows that virtually all our lakes, rivers, bays and ocean waters get polluted after it rains, all across California,” State Water Board Member Steven Moore said. “Some of those most impacted waters are those around our bigger cities, like Los Angeles, San Diego, San Jose and Sacramento. The pollutants that can be carried in stormwater impair the beneficial uses of our waters that belong to all Californians. We can all contribute to helping keep every drop of water in our rivers, lakes and ocean clean.”