Water quality is one of our highest priorities here in the City of Buena Park. The Federal Clean Water Act mandates that the State of California keep trash and other pollutants out of its precious waterways. The City is implementing a new program called the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES). NPDES reinforces the City's Stormwater Drainage Ordinance created in 1996. We are assisted by the Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB), Orange County Stormwater Division and all other cities within the County to reduce and eliminate stormwater pollution.

Stormdrains are designed to remove rain water from the street. Water flowing from your sidewalk goes into the inlet, flows through the City rivers, and then ultimately ends up unfiltered in the Pacific Ocean. This is different from our sewer system which carries water from inside our homes to a wastewater treatment facility.

Rainwater will carry everything in its path to the ocean. Things like trash, automobile fluids, chemicals and animal waste get carried away by water in the street. Dumping these items into the stormdrain is unhealthy to our waterways and is also illegal. For example, did you know that one pint of motor oil can produce an oil slick of approximately one acre on the surface of water?

Call (714) 562-3655 if you have any immediate questions about how to prevent and remove pollutants from your home or business. Also, contact us if you see cloudy or colored water flowing in the street. Together, you and your neighbors can make a difference in keeping the City's waterways pollution free.

Resources and Links
To better assist the public, the following resource information and links are available:

• City of Buena Park's 24-Hour Water Pollution Hotline: (714) 562-3655
  
  
• Chemical and Hazardous Materials Spill Emergencies: 911
  
  
• Orange County Household Hazardous Waste Information: (714) 834-6752
  
  
• Orange County Stormwater: (714) 567-6363
  
  
• To receive stormwater pollution information from the Orange County Stormwater Program
  
  
• 2010 Water Quality Report: Learn what you need to know about your water and how it may affect you. The City of Buena Park publishes and distributes a report to inform you.
  
  
• Used Motor Oil: Residents can have used motor oil removed free of charge from their homes by calling: 1-800-449-7587. Locations that accept used motor oil can be found by contacting Earth's 911, California Environmental Hotline: 1-800-CLEANUP.
  
  
• Available Brochures & Posters
  
  
• Prevent Stormwater Pollution: Best Management Practices (BMP) Fact Sheets (Activities You Can Do To Prevent Stormwater Pollution).
  
  
• WQMP Documents