Stormwater and urban runoff reach the ocean and local water ways through canyons, creeks and the storm drain system. Storm water and urban runoff from nuisance flows carry pollutants to these recreational water bodies. The storm drain system is separate from the sanitary sewer system and was designed to prevent flooding by carrying excess rainwater away from city streets and into local canyons and waterways such as Machado Lake and Los Angeles Harbor—there is typically no treatment of stormwater. Stormwater and urban runoff pollution can cause beach closures, and harm humans and aquatic life.

The City commits significant resources to protect the quality of our local waters from urban runoff and stormwater pollution. We need the help of our residents and businesses to be successful.

Due to specific pollutant impairments of the Santa Monica Bay and nearby Machado Lake, the City of Rolling Hills Estates and our sister cities on the Peninsula must take special measures to target and eliminate the discharge of specific pollutants: trash, bacteria, nitrogen and phosphorous.

Trash needs no further explanation, we’ve all seen trash that washes up on our beaches and into LA Harbor after a rain.

Bacteria adversely impacts recreational waters and causes beach closures, especially during and immediately following storm events. Sources of bacteria are everywhere, even in soil, but controlling hot spot sources of bacteria like garbage, pet waste and horse manure and keeping them from contacting stormwater is critical.

Nitrogen and phosphorous in stormwater runoff cause algae blooms and subsequent die-off which depletes oxygen in the water and harms aquatic life. Nitrogen and phosphorous from inorganic fertilizers and uncomposted manure are especially problematic—organic fertilizers and compost are less harmful because the nitrogen and phosphorous are released slowly in a more stable form.

Litter Control

• The City implements a proactive litter abatement program for keeping public rights-of-way, streets, medians, parks, and trails free of litter and debris.
• Street sweeping is conducted on the two days immediately following trash pickup in order to capture any incidental litter associated with emptying the carts during collection and to reduce trash and debris deposited in catch basins.
• Please keep a lid on trash carts and bins so wind and birds don’t scatter trash. 
• Youth sports groups who use our playing fields on the weekends can prevent the overflow of trash cans and scattering of trash by crows and wildlife by making sure to recycle beverage containers—collect them and take them home if the park recycling bins are full.

Dogs and Horses

• Leash laws are strictly enforced, not just for public safety—when a dog is on a leash, an owner is more likely to pick up after it.
• City parks are equipped with pet waste clean-up stations.
• At the municipal Peter Weber Equestrian Center wood shavings are used as bedding and stalls are cleaned daily. Push carts are used to pick up manure piles throughout the facility on a daily basis. Manure is mixed 50:50 with wood shavings which is better than straw for composting and is hauled on a daily basis to a commercial composting facility.
• The City’s solid waste ordinance requires that manure on private property be kept in an enclosed container and either composted or hauled away at least once per week. The City’s franchise waste hauler provides manure hauling service and carts specifically for manure.
• Please pick up after your pets, whether in your yard or on a walk. Pet waste can go in the trash or toilet - click to learn more about Managing Pet Waste to Prevent Contamination of Drinking Water.
• If you own a horse, please manage horse manure and your stable area or choose a boarding facility in accordance with City ordinance and these guidelines - click to learn more aboutBest Practices for Equestrians.

Nitrogen and Phosphorus

• Parks are maintained with the minimum amount of fertilizer necessary—playing fields are fertilized only twice per year and fully composted top dressing is applied once per year.
• City parks and recreational areas are inspected frequently for broken irrigation heads, overspray, and muddy areas—water that doesn’t run off can’t carry pollutants to the storm drain.
• The City has dedicated the George F Canyon Nature Center and Stein-Hale Nature Trail as a riparian preserve for public enjoyment with both passive and active education programs. We have partnered with the Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy in the preservation and restoration of coastal sage habitat and the endangered Palos Verdes Blue Butterfly at the Linden S. Chandler Preserve and at George F Canyon Nature Preserve.
• Take the same measures on your property . . . did you know that native plants don’t need fertilizer?
• Smart Gardening Workshops are held at South Coast Botanic Garden and more resources and information www.smartgardening.com - through South Bay Environmental Services www.sbesc.com and the Botanic Garden Directly www.southcoastbotanicgarden.org
• Surfrider Ocean Friendly Garden program

Toxic Pollutants

• In maintaining parks and open space the City implements integrated pest management practices (IPM) choosing physical barriers and controls first and when necessary the least toxic chemical control that is effective, e.g., wood chips are used in lieu of herbicide for weed control on trails.
• Find out how to maintain a healthy landscape using biological controls instead of chemical pesticides using the techniques of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) at www.ipm.ucdavis.edu.
• Pool chemicals can be toxic to aquatic life, for guidelines on maintaining your pool or spa in an environmentally sensitive manner and how to safely drain the pool when necessary -click to learn more about Best Practice for Pool and Spa Maintenance

Fats, Oils and Grease (FOG)
Keep fats, oils and grease (FOG) out of sewer lines to prevent sewer backups which is a headache for property owners as well as a health hazard that could trigger a beach closure if it reaches the storm drain.

Butter, lard, and vegetable shortening are liquid at cooking temperatures but when poured down the drain they congeal in the sewage pipes causing sewer blockages. Even vegetable oil that is liquid at room temperature will coat the lining of sewer lines and cause buildup which leads to clogs.

Every cook, whether in a home or restaurant, can follow these guidelines to prevent sewer backups:

• Scrape/pour FOG into a sealed container and place in the trash, never down the drain.
• Before washing greasy pots and pans, dry wipe with paper towels to absorb excess FOG and then throw the oily paper towels in the trash. (Do not launder oily dish rags because oily residues left after washing can catch fire in dryers).
• Dispose of coffee grounds—which are very oily—in the trash, or better yet, put them in the compost or worm bin.
• But don’t place meat/poultry/fish fats or grease in compost piles—this attracts rodents!
• Fibrous fruit and vegetable waste also contribute to sewer backups—minimize the use of garbage disposals, instead compost or dispose these in the trash.

Other Sources of Bacteria, Nitrogen and Phosphorus and Toxic Pollutants

• City staff annually walk our open channels to identify and eliminate illicit connections and discharges—only clean water should be discharged to the storm drain system and our canyons.
• Industrial and certain categories of commercial businesses such as restaurants are inspected to confirm that outdoor activities/storage are conducted in a manner that prevents discharge of non-stormwater and minimizes the contact of pollutants with stormwater runoff.

And More

The City of Rolling Hills Estates contracts with the County of Los Angeles for additional public works services to implement County-wide stormwater pollution prevention programs, including storm drain maintenance, catch basin cleaning and stenciling, industrial waste services, drainage review of new development and redevelopment, and building and safety services. Use of County contract services allows the City to cost effectively leverage County-wide resources and programs in performing standard stormwater pollution prevention services so that City staff can focus on City-specific issues and pollutants.

Public Reporting 

To report illicit discharges, clogged catch basins, or other water quality issues, please contact the Los Angeles County Hotline for water quality issues at 1-888-CLEANLA. 

City of Rolling Hills Estates Water Quality Issues can be directed to:

Learn more abut Stormwater Pollution Prevention and cleanup activities:

• County-implemented programs and resources are available at: www.888CleanLA.com
• Heal the Bay Coastal Cleanups
• California Coastal Commission Annual Coastal Cleanup Day
• Earth Day Event at the Promenade on the Peninsula