Stormwater Management

What are some things you notice at this intersection? Look at the vibrant mural, "North Richmond Clean & Green", on the house at the corner of Market Ave. and Fred Jackson Way. This is a vacant house, one of many similar houses spread all around the neighborhood, that once provided affordable housing to residents as part of the Las Deltas Housing project. We talk more about the Las Deltas and their prospect at Point #17.

Can you see a storm drain where the sidewalk meets the street here? Storm drains collect stormwater from streets, and through a series of pipes, the water is discharged into Wildcat Creek or the Bay. Although rain is clean water, once it reaches the street, it usually gets polluted by motor oil, vehicle emissions, trash, and animal poop.

Rain gardens and bioswales, such as the ones installed near Urban Tilth we discussed in our previous point, are 'Green Infrastructure"- the soil and plants remove pollutants from the water so when it is released to the creek it is clean.

Regrettably, North Richmond has a history of experiencing illegal dumping, which residents have requested to be remedied (see image a map with these locations). More data on illegal dumping in Richmond can be found here. To report on illegal dumping in Contra Costa County, call 1-800-NO-DUMPING, go on their website at https://www.cccleanwater.org/illegal-dumping, or download the Mobile Citizen App.

What are some other ways we can keep our natural environment safe and healthy and prevent pollution in our local waters?

• Use less-toxic gardening products in your garden.
• Properly dispose of pesticides that remove lice, ticks, fleas, ants, and any other outdoor pest.
• Dispose of household chemicals at a recycling center or household hazardous waste facility.
• Pick up your pet’s waste and throw the bagged waste in the trash.
• Never litter, dispose of trash properly.
• Ride a bike or take public transportation instead of driving alone to work can reduce the amount of harmful car exhaust pollutants from the street.
• Bring your car to a professional car washing facility since they capture all of the soapy runoff that may otherwise pollute local waters
• Attend a Creek Cleanup or Coastal Clean-Up Day event with The Watershed Project! Sign up here.