DOUGLAS COUNTY CLEAN WATER PLAN
Modified by the City of Oakland
Stormwater Program
The Douglas County Stormwater Program is a facet of theDouglas County Public Works Department. The objective is toeducate and engage our citizens and businesses in improving
water quality through pollution prevention best practices andstewardship of local waterways. The City of Oakland
encourages residents to review this material with the sameobjective.
The County’s Stormwater Program Goals Include:• Expanding community awareness and knowledge of localwaterways, pollution prevention, personal impacts to rivers,
lakes and streams, and best practice behaviors.
• Developing programs that call for increased community
participation and action by citizens and businesses toprevent polluted runoff and improve water quality.
• Increasing citizen stewardship and responsibility for local
streams and overall water quality
Did you know that stormwater flows to streams?
Most storm drains, roadside ditches and catch basins empty
directly into our local streams and rivers. Storm drains are thegrated openings located on streets and roads and roadsideditches and catch basins are located along most roadways, theycollect water from rain, irrigation and other water runoff fromactions like car washing . The water flushes pollution, such as
fertilizers, lawn chemicals, street oils, pet waste, garbage andlitter off our lawns, streets and property into waterways.
Polluted water can impact the health of people and pets, harmfish and other aquatic life, and degrade the quality of ourwaterways.
There are two major concerns with stormwater runoff:
1. The timing and the amount of the runoff:a) "Flash floods" are caused by stormwater runoff moving atvery high speeds either across the land or through thepiped storm drain system after it collects from thesurrounding area.
b) Periodic, fast-flowing stormwater damages streams bycausing erosion. Insects, larvae, fish, and amphibians are
directly impacted by high volumes of this moving water andindirectly impacted when stream habitat features (such as
pools, and riffles) are destroyed.
c) People can also be affected when this fast flowing
stormwater damages or destroys property especially homes
and buildings.
2. Pollutants contained within the runoff:a) Sediment from construction sites or exposed soil and from the sides of streams (streambanks)b) Excess pesticides/fertilizers applied on home landscaping, gardens, nurseries, agricultural fields and golf courses.
c) Trash and debris left on roads or sidewalksd) Oil, auto fluids, and soapy water from car washinge) Pet waste that has been left on the groundf)g)h)i)

Salt from winter weather road treatments
Failing sewer systems or sewage leaks
Household hazardous waste and hazardous waste spills
Accumulated garbage and spoilage

Common Pollutants, Easy SolutionsDouglas County and the City of Oakland are making important steps to protect and improve water quality, but
creating clean and healthy waterways is a community effort. There are some simple ways that citizens andbusinesses can help ensure clean and healthy waterways. (Shared in-part from the City of Corvallis)Common Household
Pollutants
Pet Waste creates nutrient and bacteria
pollution.

Easy Solutions that
Make a Difference

Additional Resources
For more information on eco-friendly ways to dispose of petwaste, click here.

•Pick up and properly dispose of pet waste.

Car Products, such as fuel, oils, andlubricants, harm water quality andecosystems.

••

Recycle car oil and other products.
Service your vehicle regularly to prevent
leaks.

Car Washing can contribute soap, dirt andgrime directly to streams via the storm
system when you wash your car in yourdriveway or street.

•Wash cars at commercial car wash
facilities; oil, gas, and grease are routed to
special drains that connect to a local water
treatment facility.

For tips on how to wash our car the eco-friendly way, clickhere.

••

Cover any exposed soils.
Keep sediment piles away from waterways
and storm drains.

For more information about erosion and sediment control, click
here.

Sediments, exposed through construction
or removal of plants, get washed by rain
into storm drains and waterways and harm
aquatic habitats.

Household Hazardous Waste, such asbatteries, cleaners, and paints, containheavy metals that are toxic to aquatic life
and the entire food web.

Compost and Excess Fertilizers put
excess nutrients into waterways, causing
algal blooms and low-oxygen conditions in
the water, which kills stream plants andanimals.

Pesticides and Herbicides accumulate inwaterways and are toxic to human andaquatic life. Natural alternatives can bevery effective and safer for children, pets,and water.

To download a .pdf copy of the recycling and free materials
exchange options in Douglas County, click here.

For more information on how to properly dispose of householdhazardous waste, click here.

•Properly dispose of hazardous householdproducts.

•Keep compost and sediments away fromwaterways and storm drains.
Test soils before applying fertilizer andapply only as needed using slow releasefertilizers.
Don’t fertilize when there is a chance ofheavy rain or runoff from irrigation.

For some great native plants and garden care resources, clickbelow:• DEQ Healthy Lawns.pdf• Contact OSU Extension Office• Lawn and Garden Fertilizer.pdf

Learn about natural alternatives to chemical
pesticides and herbicides.
Plant native vegetation, which requires lesswater and fewer chemicals.

Click below for additional resources:• Alternative Weed Control pdf.
• Lawn and Garden Chemicals pdf.
• Lawn Weed Control pdf.
• Guide to using Willamette Valley native plants
along your stream.pdf

Dispose of leftover or expired
pharmaceuticals or prescription meds in thetrash, NOT the sink, toilet, or storm drain.
Properly dispose of leftover or expired
pharmaceuticals or prescriptions throughlocal take back programs and locations.

Contact your local law enforcement agency about drug takeback programs available in your area.

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•
•

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Pharmaceuticals, drugs and prescription
meds washed down home or street drains
end up in our drinking water.

For more information on recycling and material exchange
options in Douglas County, click here.

•

To report hazardous waste spills please contact the Douglas
County 911 Communications Center using the non-emergency
number at (541) 440-4471

Have questions or want to schedule a site visit to your local waterway? Contact the City of Oakland at(541) 459-4531. To access the hyperlinks for this document, please visit the City' website athttps://www.oaklandoregon.org/water.html