Water, Waste, & Energy
Report Salinas Spills/Dumping: Call 758-7233. State the location of the spill/dumping (street intersection/street address), the time and any information that can help the City find the source and alert the offender of the prohibition.
What Does Water, Waste and Energy (WWE) Division Do?
The Water, Waste, and Energy Division provides technical support in the specific areas of Water, Waste, and Energy. These areas have been identified as focus areas that are complex and have local and regional significance. The Division is essentially a Public Works special projects team that is working on larger scale, complex Public Works efforts that require a systemic approach.
The Water, Waste, and Energy Division is reorganizing and consolidating the City’s Stormwater Permit compliance efforts; managing energy programs to complete City energy efficiency projects; managing and providing technical support of solid waste initiatives led by the City to provide effective and economical solid waste services for the City; managing and providing technical support for water recycling/re-use projects and working with City partners as part of the Pure Water Monterey Project http://purewatermonterey.org/ towards solutions for water supply needs for City residents and the agriculture industry; and managing and overseeing City sustainability goals and programs including the Urban Greening Program.
Erosion and Sediment Control Plan (E&SC Plan)
For projects that will include soil disturbance during construction, applicants must submit an Erosion and Sediment Control Plan (E&SC Plan) for approval by the City prior to the issuance of certain permits, including all Grading Permits, most Building Permits, other permits at the discretion of the City (e.g. Encroachment or Demolition Permits with potential for significant erosion or non-stormwater discharges).
To download a PDF of the Erosion and Sediment Control section of the Construction Best Management Practices handbook created by Monterey Stormwater & Education Alliance (Monterey SEA) click here.
If a project disturbs one acre or more of soil, it is subject to the State’s Construction General Permit (CGP). In this circumstance, the Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) developed pursuant to the CGP may substitute for the E&SC Plan.
The E&SC Plan may require modification as the project progresses and as conditions warrant. All modifications to the approved E&SC Plan must be submitted to the City for review and approval.
What should be in the Erosion and Sediment Control Plan
The Erosion and Sediment Control Plan (E&SC Plan) Checklist, available HERE, provides detailed information for High and Low priority construction projects. This checklist has been developed to assist applicants in obtaining City approval. The goal of the E&SC Plan is to:
1. Minimize the amount of disturbed soil;
2. Eliminate non-storm runoff;
3. Eliminate sediment and/or other pollutants from exiting the construction site; and
4. Ensure construction materials are managed properly.
Construction Site Planning and Management
Coordinating BMP implementation with construction activities is critical in preventing erosion and sediment loss. All construction sites, regardless of size, should have a pre- and post- construction schedule. This allows a connection to the sequence of construction and the installation of erosion and sediment control measures. Developing a written plan and specified work schedule for implementing BMPs is a key objective of planning.
To download a PDF of the Construction Site Planning and Management section of the Construction Best Management Practices Handbook create by Monterey Stormwater & Education Alliance (Monterey SEA) click here.
Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) Resources
The State General Construction Permit requires the development and implementation of a Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP).
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The SWPPP must be prepared by a Qualified SWPPP Developer (QSD) and should contain a sitemap(s) which shows the construction site perimeter, existing and proposed buildings, lots, roadways, storm water collection and discharge points, general topography both before and after construction, and drainage patterns across the project.
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The SWPPP must list Best Management Practices (BMPs) the discharger will use to protect stormwater runoff and the placement of those BMPs.
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Additionally, the SWPPP must contain a visual monitoring program; a chemical monitoring program for "non-visible" pollutants to be implemented if there is a failure of BMPs; and a sediment monitoring plan if the site discharges directly to a water body.
The following documents may assist in SWPPP preparation:
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Developing Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan: A Guide for Construction Sites. This guidance manual is provided by the U.S. EPA NPDES Program and is intended as a helpful reference for construction site operators in preparing a SWPPP. In addition, the guide provides customizable SWPPP templates and a sample inspection report, in Microsoft Word format.
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Fact sheets from Cal Trans for construction site best management practices (BMPs) include soil stabilization, sediment control, tracking control, wind and erosion control, non-stormwater management, and materials and waste management. They are helpful in building a SWPPP.
What's Happening for Water, Waste, & Energy
Composting Challenge

Take the Composting Challenge and earn a free home compost bin! Supplies are limited. Salinas Valley Solid Waste Authority (SVSWA) is hosting a Composting Challenge in an effort to spread information about the benefits of composting. Participants can watch two short videos about composting yard clippings/kitchen scraps and how easy it is for worms to eat food scraps. Then, take a short quiz, sign the compost pledge and pick up a free bin. Easy as 1, 2, 3!
PUBLIC NOTICE OF CLEAN UP

PUBLIC NOTICE OF THE CLEANUP AND REMOVAL OF PERSONAL PROPERTY BEING ILLEGALLY STORED. Please see attached notices for dates, times, locations, and a comprehensive list of Monterey County service providers.
Tips for Your Thanksgiving
by Kelly Cramer
In the United States, 40 percent of food goes to waste. Thanksgiving is a celebration of family, football, and most of all, food. While we prepare for the feast, it’s also important to consider the amount of food wasted on this particular holiday. Natural Resources Defense Council’s Staff Scientist Dana Gunders explains , “During the holidays, people are often confronted with more food than they can eat, meaning food gets wasted.” Fortunately, there are...
The What Goes Where? App is Live!

Salinas Valley Recycles has teamed up with Monterey Regional Waste Management and your local garbage and recycling haulers to bring you a free app that helps you recycle right. The "What Goes Where?" app answers that question: "Is this trash or can I recycle this?"
Download the "What Goes Where?" app here: Android Google Play or Apple App Store .
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Stormwater Development Standards - Downloadable Documents
Contact Permit Center Engineering at 831-758-7251 for native format files
Template For The SWCP
Template For The SWCP (38.76 KB)