NPDES

National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Commitment

It is the mission of the City of Chino Hills, in partnership with the community, to continue to develop and maintain the aesthetic beauty of the City while fostering a safe and family-orientated environment. The City is committed to the protection of its water, environmental resources, wild life, aquatic habitats, and dedicated to reducing the impact of pollutants from urban runoff, through the implementation of its Storm Water Program to ensure the health, safety and welfare of the its citizens.

About NPDES

In 1972, the United States (U.S.) Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued the NPDES program in Section 402 of the Clean Water Act (CWA) to address water pollution by regulating point source pollutants that discharge into the receiving waters of the United States. Water runoff from cities, streets, highways, industrial facilities, commercial facilities and construction sites carry pollutants that impair water quality and the recreational use of water. The U.S. EPA and the State Water Boards control runoff and the treatment of storm water through the Construction, Industrial, and Municipal regulatory permit programs.

In accordance with the CWA, Santa Ana River Basin Plan, State Water Resources Control Board (Santa Ana Region) NPDES Permit (PDF), Waste Discharge Requirements, and other state and federal laws; the City is required to perform the following activities to restore and maintain the water quality of receiving waters of the U.S.:

  • Public Education/Outreach
  • Reduce pollutants and manage non-storm water discharges
  • Create, modify, adopt and enforce ordinances
  • Storm Water Program
    • Perform compliance inspections of businesses, construction sites (less than 1 acre) and other facilities
  • Fats, Oil and Grease (FOG) Program
    • Perform compliance monitoring and inspections of food service establishments and other commercial facilities
  • Maintenance of the Municipal Storm Drain System
    • Perform inspections
    • Removal of trash and debris from inlets/catch basins, and channels
  • Street Sweeping
  • Sanitary Sewer Overflow (SSO) Program
  • And more

Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs)

Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) - is a regulatory term used in the CWA, which describes the specific amount of a pollutant such as trash, bacteria, pesticides, etc. that is allowed in a specific body of water such as lakes, rivers, streams, creeks or the ocean. When a water body is declared impaired, the State Water Resources Control Board determines the TMDL of the specific pollutant that the impaired water body can receive while still meeting water quality standards.

The City is required to comply with state and federal TMDLs to protect regional water bodies. The City has developed a monitoring and implementation plan to ensure compliance with the TMDLs concerning the following impaired water bodies within its jurisdiction:

  • Chino Creek
  • Prado Park Lake
  • Mill Creek (Prado Area)
  • Santa Ana River

To report a stormwater pollution violation, view more or call 909-364-2800.

Storm Water Pollution Prevention

Storm water Pollution is urban run-off from a rain event that has picked up pollutants (i.e. automobile fluids, pet waste, sediments) as it flows through the storm drain system a network of channels, gutters, and pipes that collect run-off from city streets, neighborhoods, farms, construction sites and parking lots, which empties directly into local waterways.

Unlike sewage that goes to a treatment plant to remove toxins, urban run-off flows untreated through the storm drain system and directly into our local water bodies.

Anything thrown, swept or poured into the street, gutter or catch basins at the curbside openings goes into the storm drain system, which flows into our channels, creeks, Santa Ana River, and eventually the Pacific Ocean.

Polluted storm water run-off is the number one source of water pollution in the United States.

Ways the Community Can Help Prevent Storm Water Pollution

  • Safely dispose of all unwanted Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) (for example used oil, paints, pesticides) at an HHW collection location. HHW disposal is free for San Bernardino County Residents. Find the nearest HHW collection location and accepted items at TooToxictoTrash.com.
  • Never clean paintbrushes or rinse paint containers in the street, gutter, catch basin or near a storm drain. Safely dispose of unwanted paint at a HHW collection location.
  • Leave sprinklers on long enough to allow water to soak into the ground but not so long as to cause run-off.
  • Never hose or blow grass clipping, leaves or other yard waste into the street, gutter or catch basins.
  • Place grass clipping, leaves and other yard waste into the green waste recycling container. Grass clippings can have significant impacts:
    • Grass clipping, leaves and other yard waste can cause catch basins to clog.
    • Grass clippings contribute nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorous, which cause unwanted and uncontrolled growth of algae and aquatic weeds in the waterways. Too much algae can be harmful, blocks sunlight and prevents other plants from growing. When algae dies and decays, it takes much needed oxygen away from aquatic life.


Storm Water Pollution Prevention - Food Service Establishments (FSE)
Since FSE discharge Fats, Oils and Grease (FOG), which can build up in sewer pipes, restrict flow and cause major problems such as sewer overflows, all FSE will be required to: 

  • Comply with the NPDES permit (R8-2010-0036) and FOG requirements to reduce the amount of FOG discharged to the sewer system.
  • Participate in the FOG Inspection Program and meet all program requirements.
  • Utilize best management practices (BMPs). BMPs include a series of activities to effectively manage and control FOG generated waste from FSE operations. BMP activities include but are not limited to:
  • Good housekeeping measures ("clean kitchen practices")
  • Proper Waste Disposal Methods
    • FOG
    • Trash
    • Proper cleaning and maintenance of:
      • Grease Interceptor
      • Grease Trap
      • Sand and Oil Clarifier
      • FOG Spill Control Plan
      • Recycling

Storm Water Pollution Prevention - Industrial

Industrial Facilities are regulated by the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) and are required to obtain a permit from the SWRCB.

View California General Industrial Storm Water Permit Information.

Storm Water Pollution Prevention - Construction

Construction activities (clearing, grading, stockpiling or excavation) that result in disturbance of one acre of soil or whose projects disturb less than one acre but are part of a larger common plan of development that in total disturbs one or more acres are regulated by the SWRCB and are required to obtain a permit from the SWRCB.

View California General Construction Permit Information.

Storm Water Pollution Prevention - Commercial

All Commercial facilities are required to reduce run-off and prevent pollutants from entering storm drain system (includes outdoor areas such as parking lots, trash enclosures, loading docks, and maintenance areas). Commercial facilities are required to comply with the NPDES permit (R8-2010-0036), participate in the NPDES Inspection Program and meet all program requirements.

Storm Water Pollution Prevention - Mobile Vehicle and Surface Cleaning

All Mobile Vehicle and Surface Cleaning businesses can contribute to stormwater pollution due to the following:

  • They do not normally operate at a fixed location and typically discharge all wash/ wastewater from their activities into streets, gutters, catch basin inlets, and the City's storm drain system.
  • Residual wash/waste materials from the cleaning activities are deposited on paved areas and eventually flow into the City's storm drain system.
  • Many businesses do not own or utilize the appropriate equipment necessary to completely control, contain, capture and properly dispose of wash/wastewater.
  • Disposal of collected wash/wastewater is difficult to regulate and presents a high potential for illegal discharges.

To prevent storm water pollution, Mobile Vehicle and Surface Cleaning businesses are required to comply with the NPDES Permit and implement Best Management Practices (BMPs).  Before the City approves a new business license for a Mobile Vehicle or Surface Cleaning business, it will require the business owner to review the Stormwater Pollution Prevention for Mobile Vehicle and Surface Cleaning Businesses Packet and complete the corresponding Certification Statement, certifying the ability to utilize equipment to control, contain, capture and properly dispose of wash/wastewater from the business activities.

View Stormwater Pollution Prevention For Mobile Vehicle and Surface Cleaning Businesses Packet

View Certification Statement For Mobile Vehicle and Surface Cleaning Businesses