Environmental Services

Information regarding water usage, regulations, and possible rebates may be obtained from the City’s water provider, Golden State Water, www.gswater.com/san-dimas.

In response to the ongoing limited water resources in California, the State Water Resources Control Board approved emergency regulations to ensure water agencies, their customers, and state residents increase water conservation in urban settings or face possible fines or other enforcement.  The conservation regulations are intended to reduce outdoor urban water use. These regulations, adopted by the State Water Board, mandate minimum actions to conserve water supplies. Most Californians use more water outdoors than indoors. In some areas, 50 percent or more of daily water use is for lawns and outdoor landscaping.

Many communities and water suppliers have taken bold steps over the years and this year to reduce water use; however, many have not and much more can and should be done statewide to extend diminishing water supplies. With this regulation, all Californians will be expected to stop: washing down driveways and sidewalks; watering of outdoor landscapes that cause excess runoff; using a hose to wash a motor vehicle, unless the hose is fitted with a shut-off nozzle, and using potable water in a fountain or decorative water feature unless the water recirculates. The regulations make an exception for health and safety circumstances.

Visit SaveOurH2O.org to find out how everyone can do their part.

Attend a FREE Smart Gardening Workshop and learn more about backyard composting, worm composting, grass recycling, water-wise gardening, and fire-wise gardening! Workshops are about 1.5 hours long and are offered in two (2) levels:

Contact LA County for Compost bins that can be purchased at the subsidized prices of $40 each for a backyard compost bin and $65 each for a worm compost bin (this price includes 1/2 lb. of worms). Please follow the link below to the LA County website for further details.

Residents are encouraged to bring unwanted Household Hazardous Waste and Electronic Waste (HHW/E-Waste) items to the County mobile collection events for safe and proper disposal free of charge. View FREE HHW/E-Waste events near you.

Household Hazardous Waste includes Used Oil, Unused Non-Controlled Medicines, Auto Fluids, Sharps Waste/Medical Needles, Beauty Products, Mercury Thermostats, Paint and Paint Related Products, Auto and Household Batteries, Lawn and Garden Products, Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs.

Electronic Waste includes Microwave Ovens, CD-Players, Computers and Computer Monitors, Small Household Appliances, Cell Phones, Televisions, Stereos, Printers, DVD/DVR Players, VCR’s

Do you have items that are recyclable but not sure what to do with them? Several stores in town accept items that can be reused or recycled. It is encouraged that you call the store before taking your items. Thanks for doing your part in helping the environment. Click on the link below to see the participating stores.

Waste Management developed a website (www.keepingsandimasclean.com) to assist San Dimas residents and businesses with their waste and recycling services. The dedicated site provides useful information such as collection schedules, special events, contact information, and sustainability tips. Customers can also call customer service by phone at 800. 266.7551.

Residents may request a curbside pick-up for oversized or overweight household articles, such as stoves, water heaters, rugs, washing machines, and furniture up to 6 times per calendar year. Waste Management will also pick up e-waste, including computers and related equipment, televisions, DVD/CD and game players, and other household electronics.   Call 800.266.7551 at least 24 hours in advance of your regular collection to schedule a pick-up.

The City of San Dimas has two drainage systems, (1) the sewers and (2) the storm drains. The storm drain system was designed to prevent flooding by carrying excess rainwater away from city streets out to the San Gabriel River and finally, out to the ocean. During storms in urban areas, rainwater runoff carries pollutants generated from commercial businesses, residential areas, streets, and sidewalks, directly to the ocean, creating storm-water pollution. Materials such as sediment, paint, plaster, yard waste, used motor oil, animal waste, and trash contain chemicals, nutrients, and bacteria that are harmful to aquatic life and humans.

Illegal disposal of any material other than storm-water in the storm drain system is a violation of the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permit (Section 402 of the Federal Clean Water Act). Violators and cities can be subject to serious financial penalties in excess of $10,000 per day.  If you observe this occurring, please call the City’s Environmental Coordinator at 909.394.6242 during City business hours.  After hours, to report illegal dumping/discharges, anywhere in Los Angeles County, into the storm drain system, call 1.888.CLEAN LA.

Water quality is a growing concern in communities throughout the country and municipalities including San Dimas are focusing on storm-water runoff as one approach to address this concern. Storm-water runoff results from rain or melting snow in some areas that are not absorbed into the ground. Runoff is also generated outside of the “rainy season” by nuisance water resulting from activities such as over-watering lawns, vehicle washing, or draining of swimming pools and other water features. This excess water carries trash, motor oil, fertilizers, pet waste, and other contaminants directly to our lakes, streams, and beaches untreated. Excess contaminants dumped into our environment and the depletion of our valuable water resources negatively affect the entire community. Many cities like San Dimas will be at risk of serious fiscal impacts, including fines (could be up to $10,000 per day per violation), costly retrofit projects, and repairs if the storm-water quality is not properly addressed. Federal regulations such as the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permit are a catalyst for San Dimas to create storm-water quality programs.

SCAQMD (South Coast Air Quality Management District)  is the air pollution control agency for all of Orange County and the urban portions of Los Angeles, Riverside and San Bernardino counties, among the smoggiest regions of the U.S. South Coast AQMD, is committed to protecting the health of residents while remaining sensitive to businesses. For more information click on the South Coast AQMD link below to visit the City of San Dimas South Coast AQMD webpage. South Coast AQMD information.