Storm Water Maintenance
The City of Salinas' Storm Drainage System (MS4), part of the Clean Water Program, provides for storm drain and open channel maintenance prior to winter rains, removes pollutants from the waste stream prior to runoff to the environment through best management practices (BMP's), and seeks to ensure safety from local flooding.
Storm Drain System Description
The City of Salinas drainage systems consist of two storm water lift stations, 125 miles of pipeline, 3557 catch basins and four drainage ditches. There are 3 natural waterways (Santa Rita Creek, Gabilan Creek and Natividad Creek) that pass through the City. Additionally, there is one manmade drainage/flood control channel (Reclamation Ditch 1665) that enters the City from the South near Moffett Street and exits adjacent to West Market Street near Davis Road. There are also four storm water detention basin facilities
Report all Illicit Discharges and Illegal Dumping

Give Us a Call!
To report all illicit discharges and illegal dumping you may call the City Waste Water Division. During regular working hours our telephone number is 831-7233, and after 5pm, on weekends, and holidays it is 911 Monterey County Communications.
Upon receiving the information, the Wastewater On-Call Person is immediately contacted. After hours, the Wastewater Duty Person is provided a cell phone and utility truck and will respond within 30 minutes or less. The Wastewater Duty Person will evaluate the situation and determine if additional help is necessary.
If you have information on dumping of any of the items below into the gutter or a storm drain Call the City of Salinas Illicit Discharge and Detection Elimination team:
- Oil
- Grease
- Paint
- Pesticides
- Landscaping leaves/grasses
- Soapy Water — Grey Water
- Animal Waste
- Garbage
- Construction Materials —unset concrete, tile wash-downs, roofing wash-downs, dirt, gravel, etc.
- Sewage
- Pressure Washing
- Fuels- Gas, Diesel
Scheduled Maintenance MS4

Inspections of storm water inlets and storm water drainage ditches are conducted at least once each year.
Collection System:
- Pipelines are serviced as needed to remove obstructions or debris that might impede flow.
- Storm Water lift stations receive routine service checks weekly during the wet weather season and are moved to a monthly schedule in the dry weather season.
- A comprehensive inspection of the City’s approximately 3,600 storm inlets and system drainage ditches shall be conducted, at a minimum, on an annual basis.
- Inspections shall occur in the dry weather months of May through October, before the start of the wet weather season with the goal of completion prior to the wet weather season to remove, dirt, silt, trash or other debris or other obstructions to flow.
- If needed inspections shall continue into the wet weather season to ensure that all storm inlets and drainage systems have been inspected
- Based on the initial inspection, within 5 days, each inlet shall be cleaned of trash, silt or debris that may contribute to a reduction in the catch basins ability to discharge freely.
- Drainage ditches should be inspected for weed abatement during spring/summer of each year.
- Drainage ditches are inspected for silt, trash and debris removal at a minimum of 4 times annually or as identified by incidental employee inspection or customer request.
Inspections are conducted after each storm that could adversely impact the drainage system.
- Drainage ditches, storm drains and outfall pipes of concern are monitored throughout the duration of significant storm events for immediate response to impacts to infrastructure or flooding issues.
- Inspections and corrective actions are taken, if required, in response to citizen complaints or inquiries. Inspections are typically made the same day with corrective action to be scheduled within 48 hours of inspection.
- Ongoing maintenance is performed throughout the year as the need for incidental maintenance or cleaning is identified through routine activities.
Creeks, Detention and Drainage Facilities

Creeks and Drainage ditches are cleared of excessive weed growth and debris prior to the wet- weather season with ongoing maintenance throughout the year as the need is identified. Debris and trash removal of Natividad Creek and the Natividad Creek detention basin are maintained jointly by the City of Salinas with assistance from the Return of Natives environmental group.
- Santa Rita Creek is an improved concrete channel from Van Buren Street to Highway 101. Silt removal is periodically performed with weed control and debris removal occurring as the need is identified throughout the year. This improved channel is cleared of silt prior to October 1st each year that has been deposited by agricultural runoff during the dry-weather season. The channel between Russell road and Van Buren Street is inspected monthly and maintenance performed such as weed control, bank mitigation and restoration, road repair, and fence repair.
- Natividad Creek and the E. Laurel Drive (Natividad) storm water detention basin receive maintenance throughout the year in a joint effort of the Return to Natives Environmental group, volunteer cleanup sponsored by the Salinas Valley Solid Waste Authority with support from City Staff. City Staff inspects Natividad Creek and detention basin on a monthly basis and performs trash and debris removal as needed.
- Gabilan Creek is visually monitored for silt accumulation annually. Trash, debris and weed control is accomplished by contract through a assessment district contract.
- Reclamation Ditch 1665 is the maintenance responsibility of the Monterey County Water Resources Agency (MCWRA). The City will periodically coordinate trash and debris cleanups at specific locations as a collaborative effort with the MCWRA
- Four storm water flood control detention basins are included in Public Park facilities at North Gate Park, Cesar Chavez Park, Eldorado Park and McKinnon Park. All Park detention facilities are maintained by Parks Division personnel.
- An additional flood control detention facility exists adjacent to the former site of Treatment Plant #1, at 156 Hitchcock Road, that is inspected monthly and maintained by Wastewater Division Personnel.
- One flood control detention basin has been constructed in the Monte Bella subdivision at the corner of Monte Bella Blvd. and Sconeberg Pkwy. Maintenance is provided by the Monte Bella Assessment District.
- There are two siltation basins in the Monte Bella subdivision. One basin is constructed at the corner of Williams Road and Freedom Blvd. The other siltation basin is constructed adjacent to Sconeberg Parkway near the intersection of Monte Bella Blvd. Both siltation basins accept water from agricultural runoff where silt settles out before entering the City’s storm system. These are maintained by Wastewater Division Personnel as part of the Assessment District agreement. The basins are inspected monthly and silt removal is performed from both basins prior to October 1st each year.
Problem Site Areas

Storm water flows from agricultural sources enter into the City’s storm system at various points to the north and northeast of the City. Specific points of entry are:
1. Near the intersection of Williams Road and Boronda Road.
2. Near the intersection of Dartmouth Way and Boronda Road.
3. Near the intersection of McKinnon and Boronda Road.
4. Santa Rita Creek (Little Bear Creek), near the intersection of San Juan Grade Road and Russell Road.
5. Gabilan Creek at the intersection of Boronda Road and Independence Blvd.
6. Natividad Creek near the intersection of Boronda Road and Constitution Blvd.
7. Reclamation Ditch 1665 is a flood control channel maintained by the Monterey County Water Resources Agency and enters the City from south of the Salinas Airport.
These points of entry can be overwhelmed by sheer volume of flows from farm fields and watershed runoff near these locations. The McKinnon and Dartmouth Way locations require additional monitoring during significant storm events to insure that storm grates are maintained clear of accumulated debris to prevent the obstruction of flows into the City System. The City has annexed the undeveloped lands north of the City including the roadways and roadside drainage of Williams Road from Boronda Road to Old Stage Road City Staff inspects these easements monthly to maintain drainage capacities along roadside ditches. City staff routinely inspects these locations during storms and increasingly during significant storm events.
Monthly Inspections for Litter and Debris Removal

Inspections and Maintenance of Creeks and drainage ditches: The following facilities are inspected monthly for litter and debris removal. The schedules below include additional maintenance activities.
• Trash, debris or vegetation removal is typically accomplished by a combination of City staff, community volunteers, and environmental organizations or by contract. Easily accessible debris is generally removed manually. Larger heavier debris is removed with mechanical assistance from vehicles equipped with cables or winches. The City maintains backhoes, skip loaders and mowing equipment for channel clearing or maintenance where accessible. The City also maintains two hydro/vacuum trucks and a vac-all catch basin cleaner for maintenance and debris removal from the storm system.
• Inspection forms and maintenance records are maintained for all storm water facility inspection and maintenance activities. The records are kept and available for viewing in the office of the Wastewater Crew Supervisor.
• May and June - Clean and remove silt and debris from the drainage ditch adjacent to Expo Park.
• March, April, June, July - Conducted weed control activity of approximately 1,600 feet of Noice Drainage Ditch. This activity is repeated annually.
• March, April, June and July – Inspect and conduct weed control activity of approximately 1,500 feet of Bernal Drainage Ditch.
• March, April, May, October – Conduct weed control and debris cleanup activities of approximately 800 ft. of Carpenter Hall Ditch.
• August/September– Inspect and Clean and remove silt, debris or weeds from Meadow Drive Ditch as needed.
• Monthly Inspection – Clean Salinas Storm Water Pump Station at 156 Hitchcock Road at least once annually or as routine maintenance inspections require.
• Monthly (minimum) Routine Maintenance Inspections – Weed abatement and trash and Debris cleanup of the Laurel Drive (Natividad Creek Storm water Detention Basin).
• March/April and August/September – Inspect and conduct silt removal, weed control and trash removal activities as needed lower Santa Rita Creek from Van Buren to Highway 101.
• Ongoing Routine Inspections – Inspect and remove weeds, trash and debris from the Salinas storm water outfall at the Salinas River.
• April/May – Inspect and remove weeds and debris from the Salinas storm water overflow basin at 156 Hitchcock Road outfall at the Salinas River. Weed control is generally conducted by the adjacent farm owner and is disked annually.
• March, April, June, July, October - Inspect and remove trash and debris from Natividad Creek from Las Casitas Street to the Laurel Detention Basin Detention Basin.
• August/September – Inspect and remove debris and accumulated silt from the two storm water detention basins at the Monte Bella subdivision located at the intersection of Williams Road and Freedom Boulevard and at Sconeburg Parkway and Montebella Blvd.
• August/September – Inspect and remove debris and perform weed control as needed at the detention basin at the corner of Monte Bella Blvd. and Sconeberg Parkway (Assessment District Maintenance Contractor). The basin is in addition of the two noted above.
Catch Basin Cleaning and Inspections

NPDES - May through October - Maintenance crews conduct annual storm drain inspections and cleaning. Approximately 3557 catch basins are inspected and scheduled for cleaning as needed. Cleaning is prioritized by maintenance zones that exhibited the greatest volume of material removed from the previous year’s maintenance cycle. Catch basin cleaning is recorded into an electronic database in the field on handheld computers as the cleaning takes place. Data collected includes depth of debris in the catch basin, volume and type of material removed and whether the storm drain is marked with a “No Dumping, Flows to Bay” marker. The program includes cleaning of all high priority catch basins identified by the previous year’s assessment and inspection and cleaning (as needed) measured depth of 2 inches or greater or any trash. The remaining low priority storm drains are inspected within a five year cycle. This maintenance methodology is consistent with the City NPDES Permit.
Outfall Inspection and Cleaning
The City has 154 storm water outfall locations that drain to local creeks, waterways and drainage ditches. Outfalls are inspected twice yearly for condition assessment, trash and debris cleanup and remove any vegetation overgrowth or obstructions. Maintenance is recorded in an electronic database linked to a GIS Map of the Storm System.
Dry Weather Screening, Monitoring, and Inspection
• Field screening occurs annually between May 1st and September 30th, no sooner than 72 hours following any rain event. Each station included in the Dry Weather Screening Program is screened once annually during this dry weather season.
• Dry weather screening is performed by field inspectors as directed by City staff. Inspectors will carry the necessary equipment and supplies to complete field screening, collect samples and perform field testing.
• All field screening data is entered into electronic devices provided to field inspectors. These laptop devices contain a database of the dry weather screening stations and the attributes required to be collected at the time of screening. All applicable data is entered into the electronic devices in the field.
Flowing Water
• If flow is observed, field inspectors will perform field screening sampling and testing as per Dry Weather Screening Procedures. If tested parameters exceed the indicated ranges, then an investigation shall be conducted to identify and eliminate the source causing the exceedance. The investigation and source elimination shall be conducted within two days of the failed test.
Standing or ponded water at the field screening site
• If standing or ponded water is observed near the field screening site and the water quality test results indicate exceedance levels of the tested constituents, a follow-up investigation will be scheduled to occur at the site within 7 days and retested or inspected to determine if the problem is chronic.
No observed flow or water accumulated - dry condition
• If the field screening site is dry, no further screening is required for the station.
Illicit Discharge Source Tracking and Response
• Illicit Discharge response and activities are 24/7 once a report or complaint has been reported staff is mobilized to respond and eliminate the source.
• Potential illicit discharge problems can be revealed through outfall inspections or reports from staff, businesses, or the public. When a complaint is reported, the City’s Permit requires that a follow-up investigation be initiated. The follow-up investigation could include a site visit to look at the problem area, review of mapping information, review of past complaints or investigations at the location, or other data collection and review. Once a problem has been verified (either through a routine outfall inspection or follow-up to a called-in complaint) the City will begin an official illicit discharge investigation, following the procedures
• When illicit discharge issues are identified, field crews will conduct a quick visual inspection of the surrounding area to identify any obvious pollution sources. These simple actions can give valuable direction to the upcoming IDDE inspection. Field crews should also report problem areas to the Wastewater Crew Supervisor or Wastewater Manager and complete an Illicit Discharge/Illegal Dumping Report Form as soon as the event is successfully concluded.
• Source tracking begins when a suspected problem area is identified through outfall inspections, or a complaint call. When the source of the non-storm water discharge is not known, one of two primary methods can be used to locate the source of an illicit discharge.
• Method A – Storm Drain Network Investigations
• Method B – Drainage Area Investigations
• The method used will depend on the type of information collected or reported, level of understanding of the drainage network, and existing knowledge of operations and activities on the surrounding properties. All source tracking investigations are inputted into the illicit discharge field web application or documented and recorded on the Illicit Discharge/Illegal Connection Report Form.
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Storm System Maps
Storm System Maps catch basins, storm line, outfalls and surface flow.