Engineering responsibilities also include those of preserving our environment. In managing City projects we encourage and require the use of environmentally friendly practices, which include:
Erosion Control
Proper Disposal of Waste
Recycling
Safe Substitutes for Pest Control
Waste Minimizing
Water Pollution Prevention
We raise public awareness of environmental issues through brochures and handouts. Members of the Engineering staff also voluntarily work in public venues at booths that promote the reduction of pollution and other environmental issues.
Perhaps the most important environmental issue Engineering faces involves the storm drain system.
The storm drains underneath the City carry away rainwater to prevent flooding in the streets. Unlike the water that enters the sewer system, which is filtered and treated before being released back to the environment in reclaimed form, storm drain water goes directly to the ocean without being treated. Pollutants the storm water comes in contact with - including pesticides, automotive fluids, construction debris, and yard waste - are carried through the storm drain system and out to the ocean as well.
In managing the storm drain system, Engineering works toward preventing pollutants from entering the system. Regular inspections of construction work in the City are conducted to ensure that not only are structures being built correctly, but that construction companies also follow procedures designed to reduce pollution.
Best Management Practices (BMP's) are any activities, practices, facilities, and/or procedures that will prevent or reduce pollutants in discharges to storm drains. These include education and outreach, proper planning of development projects, proper cleaning of catch basin inlets, and proper sludge- or waste-handling and disposal.
You can obtain these BMP pamphlets at the Engineering Counter:
Automotive Maintenance and Car Care
Home Repair and Remodeling
Fresh Concrete and Mortar Application
General Construction and Site Supervision
Heavy Equipment and Earth-Moving Activities
Landscaping, Gardening, and Pest Control
Painting
Roadwork and Paving
Engineering has a Contractor/Developer Information Checklist that can tell you which of the BMP pamphlets apply to your construction/development project.
The Federal Clean Water Act regulates and promotes the reduction of pollutants in United States waters. To do this the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) was created. Several years ago NPDES was expanded to include storm water and urban runoff discharge into municipal storm drain systems.
The City of Redondo Beach is a co-permittee under the NPDES program. As such, the City is implementing a Stormwater Program to prevent pollution of the City's storm drains. Click below to view the City's most current NPDES permit:
PDF files of the City's Santa Monica Bay Beaches Bacteria Total Maximum Daily Load (SMBBB TMDL) Implementation Plan for Jurisdictional Groups 5 & 6 and the current Coordinated Shoreline Monitoring Plan can be reached via the links below:
Doing one or more of the following will minimize some of the pollution to the storm drains, and will be better for the environment as a whole:
Don't litter.
Keep the gutter clean.
Try drip irrigation, composting, and grass-cycling.
Purchase bulk items with minimal packaging.
Sweep sidewalks and driveways instead of hosing them.
Take unused solvents and toxic products to a hazardous waste round up.
Use recycled and/or environmentally friendly cleaners and pesticides.
Recycle glass, metals, plastics, paper, and cardboard.
Take canvas bags to the market and shopping malls.
Recycle motor oil, antifreeze, and oil filters.
Make sure your car does not leak fluids.
Use items that are non-disposable.
Pick up after your pet.
