Wastewater Pollution

Even the most careful, conscientious person can create pollution. We do it when we drive our cars, clean our homes and other day-to-day activities. As responsible members of our community, we must do everything we can to protect our environment for future generations.

In the course of providing their services, businesses generate wastewater. When it is disposed of improperly into the storm drainage system, those pollutants flow untreated into our waterways.

Clean Water Business Partners have made a commitment to properly dispose of their wastewater.
They help to ensure that future generations can use and enjoy our most valuable natural resource...water!

Let's see what our Clean Water Business Partners are helping to keep out of our waterways:

Pollutant	Sources	Adverse Effect
Ammonia	Cleaning Products, Pets, Humans	Toxic to fish, stimulates algae and plant growth which upsets our ecosystem and impacts animal life.
Cadmium	Paint, Dirt, Dust, Dyes	Damages fish gills and reduces growth and reproduction of aquatic life.
Copper	Dirt, Dust, Dyes, Pesticides, Organic Material, Plumbing, Metal Furniture	Adverse effects on fish and water bugs – an important component of the food chain for fish!
Dissolved Solids	Detergents, Cleaning Products, Carpet Fresheners, Dirt, Dust, Interior Aerosols	Adverse effects on plant life and aquatic life.
Lead	Dirt, Dust, Dyes, Paint, Atmospheric deposits near roads and airports.	Toxic to fish by interfering with breathing, plant growth interference, affects reproduction of water bugs.
Mercury	Batteries, Switches, Thermostats, Thermometers, Disinfectants, Fluorescent Tubes	Visit the Sacramento Stormwater Quality Partnership Mercury Page for more information.
Suspended Solids	Dirt, Dust, Carpet Decomposition, Carpet Fresheners, Interior Aerosols, Sand	Clogs spawning areas for fish, covers water channel flow resulting in food being buried, clouded water can affect the ability of fish to feed.
Zinc	Dirt, Dust, Dyes	Damage to gills and destruction of liver tissue in fish, growth reduction and tissue damage to plants.