Sacramento Stormwater Quality Partnership
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About Us

The Sacramento Stormwater Quality Partnership (SSQP) is a multi-jurisdictional
program made up of Sacramento County and the incorporated cities of Sacramento,
Citrus Heights, Elk Grove, Folsom, Galt, and Rancho Cordova, educating and
encouraging the community to protect local waterways from the impacts of urban
run-off, which flows untreated from storm drains to creeks, streams and rivers.

What is Stormwater?

Stormwater is rain that flows over land or impervious surfaces, such as paved streets, parking lots, and building rooftops, and does not soak into the ground. In urban areas less rain is able to infiltrate into the ground, thus creating urban runoff and picking up pollutants along the way. Stormwater carries pollutants such as trash, pet waste, and garden chemicals into nearby storm drains, which eventually flows into waterways untreated. This harms the quality of our waterways.

Learn more

Ways to Protect Water

We need your help to protect our local waters!

Water pollution primarily comes from residents and you
are the most important solution to stormwater pollution.
Learn how you can help prevent stormwater pollution
and improve our community.

Take Action
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Automotive
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Household
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Yard Care
Pests

Mercury

Mercury is very toxic to people and wildlife, and some of its uses have resulted in widespread contamination of the environment. Let’s work together to protect and enhance the quality of life in our neighborhoods and throughout the community for our enjoyment now…and for our children’s enjoyment in the future.

Stop pollution at the source:

Learn more
Mercury

Pesticides

Using less or non-toxic alternatives in your garden is important for a healthy garden, the beneficial bugs, our waterways, and our ecosystem. Let’s work together to protect and enhance the quality of life in our neighborhoods and throughout the community for our enjoyment now…and for our children’s enjoyment in the future.

Stop pollution at the source:

Learn more
Pesticides

Pet Waste

When pet waste is improperly disposed of, it can be picked up by stormwater runoff and washed into storm drains then directly to the river without being treated. Let’s work together to protect and enhance the quality of life in our neighborhoods and throughout the community for our enjoyment now…and for our children’s enjoyment in the future.

Stop pollution at the source:

Learn more
Pet Waste

Trash

Litter from sidewalks, streets, parking lots, and nature areas eventually find its way into our rivers. Let’s work together to protect and enhance the quality of life in our neighborhoods and throughout the community for our enjoyment now…and for our children’s enjoyment in the future.

Stop pollution at the source:

Learn more
Trash
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  • Mercury

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  • Pesticides

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  • Pet Waste

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  • Trash

Events Calendar

< 2023 >
December
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  • RCWA – American River Cleanup @ Northrop w/ Wayne

    RCWA – American River Cleanup @ Northrop w/ Wayne

    09:00 -12:00
    12/03/2023

    This River City Waterway Alliance cleanup will be co-hosted by Wayne Watts, a long time American River Parkway hero. In fact, Wayne recently received a Certificate of Recognition from Assemblymember Kevin McCarty’s office for his amazing 37 years of dedicated stewardship to the parkway.
    Wayne needs help cleaning some of the trashiest areas of his adopted section, mostly left by abandoned encampments and trashy recreationists.
    This is an easy to moderate level cleanup with plenty of easy areas nearby. RCWA will provide bags, but please bring along your sturdy footwear, grabbers, buckets, and gloves – a limited number of loaner buckets and grabbers may be available.
    As with all events shared on RCWA, participation is performed solely at your own risk. Please place safety FIRST and do only what you feel comfortable doing. Moreover, participants will be required to sign a Release and Waiver form if they have not done so previously.
    Overall, be safe, have fun and get some “Exercise with a Purpose”!
    Thank you!
    River City Waterway Alliance
    “Restoring & Protecting Our Waterways”
    Instagram @RiverCityWaterwayAlliance
    Link to Events:
    https://www.facebook.com/rivercitywaterwayalliance/events
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  • RCWA – Ali & Lila’s Friday Arcade CRK Cleanup

    RCWA – Ali & Lila’s Friday Arcade CRK Cleanup

    09:00 -12:00
    12/22/2023

    Please join Alison and Lilia for this cleanup of Arcade Creek near American River College. RCWA is continuing to partner with Arcade Creek – Adopt A Creek Project to focus on another infamously trashed stretch of this 16.2 mile creek.
    Please bring water and only do what you are comfortable doing. As always, you can leave whenever you want or need. Please park on the residential streets, but be sure not to block any driveways or garbage cans.
    We will park on Valhalla, then cautiously cross Winding Way to our cleanup spot. From there, we will follow the trash, removing litter and bulk items both in the creek and adjacent thereto. This cleanup location has some challenging access spots into the creek and may require a rope to get into the channel, however, there are some flat spots as well for easy pickin’.
    The event will range in difficulty from moderate to hard and may not be suitable for children under the age of 16. There will be something for almost everyone as we will be cleaning in the creek and up above, on land.
    We will provide bags, but please bring along your sturdy footwear, grabbers, buckets, and gloves – a limited number of loaner buckets and grabbers may be available. We expect there will be water in the creek, fairly deep in a few spots.. Participants will be required to wear rain boots or waders if they intend to get into the water. The water is quite chilly this time of year. Entry into any waters is always optional.
    As with all events shared on our Page, participation is performed solely at your own risk. Please place safety FIRST and do only what you feel comfortable doing. Moreover, participants will be required to sign a Release and Waiver form if they have not done so previously.
    Overall, be safe, have fun and get some “Exercise with a Purpose”!, as Bill Templin says. Thank you! 
    Arcade Creek Adopt-A-Creek Project
    https://www.facebook.com/ArcadeCreekAACP
    River City Waterway Alliance
    https://www.facebook.com/rivercitywaterwayalliance
23
  • RCWA – American River Cleanup at Township 9 (22.0)

    RCWA – American River Cleanup at Township 9 (22.0)

    09:00 -12:00
    12/23/2023

    The American River is low, exposing previously inaccessible trash along the banks. Thus, this is the perfect time for our first Township 9 cleanup since last May.
    Waterproof footwear will be very helpful. This will be an easy to difficult level event with a moderate walk. There may be walking up and down the levee bank, depending on where the trash is located. Choose whatever activity you desire.
    RCWA will provide bags, but please bring along your sturdy footwear, grabbers, buckets, and gloves – a limited number of loaner buckets and grabbers may be available. Participants will be required to wear rain boots or waders if they intend to get into the water. Entry into any waters is always optional.
    As with all events shared on RCWA, participation is performed solely at your own risk. Please place safety FIRST and do only what you feel comfortable doing. Moreover, participants will be required to sign a Release and Waiver form if they have not done so previously.
    Overall, be safe, have fun and get some “Exercise with a Purpose” as Bill Templin says.
    Thank you!
    River City Waterway Alliance
    “Restoring & Protecting Our Waterways”
    Instagram @RiverCityWaterwayAlliance
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  • Adopt a Creek – Ali & Lilia’s Friday Arcade CRK Cleanup

    Adopt a Creek – Ali & Lilia’s Friday Arcade CRK Cleanup

    09:00 -12:00
    12/29/2023

    Please join Alison and Lilia for this cleanup of Arcade Creek near American River College. 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐖𝐈𝐋𝐋 𝐁𝐄 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐃𝐀𝐘 𝐖𝐄 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐍𝐄𝐂𝐓 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐋𝐀𝐒𝐓 𝐃𝐎𝐓 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐍𝐄𝐂𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝟒.𝟓 𝐌𝐈𝐋𝐄𝐒 𝐎𝐅 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐓𝐈𝐆𝐔𝐎𝐔𝐒 𝐂𝐑𝐄𝐄𝐊 𝐂𝐋𝐄𝐀𝐍𝐄𝐃 𝐁𝐘 𝐑𝐂𝐖𝐀 𝐕𝐎𝐋𝐔𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐄𝐑𝐒 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐘𝐄𝐀𝐑. We will continue to partner with Arcade Creek – Adopt A Creek Project to focus on another infamously trashed stretch of this 16.2 mile creek.
    Please bring water and only do what you are comfortable doing. As always, you can leave whenever you want or need. Please park on the residential streets, but be sure not to block any driveways or garbage cans.
    We will park on Valhalla, then cautiously cross Winding Way to our cleanup spot. From there, we will follow the trash, removing litter and bulk items both in the creek and adjacent thereto. This cleanup location has some challenging access spots into the creek and may require a rope to get into the channel, however, there are some flat spots as well for easy pickin’.
    The event will range in difficulty from moderate to hard and may not be suitable for children under the age of 16. There will be something for almost everyone as we will be cleaning in the creek and up above, on land.
    We will provide bags, but please bring along your sturdy footwear, grabbers, buckets, and gloves – a limited number of loaner buckets and grabbers may be available. We expect there will be water in the creek, fairly deep in a few spots.. Participants will be required to wear rain boots or waders if they intend to get into the water. The water is quite chilly this time of year. Entry into any waters is always optional.
    As with all events shared on our Page, participation is performed solely at your own risk. Please place safety FIRST and do only what you feel comfortable doing. Moreover, participants will be required to sign a Release and Waiver form if they have not done so previously.
    Overall, be safe, have fun and get some “Exercise with a Purpose”!, as Bill Templin says. Thank you! 
    Arcade Creek Adopt-A-Creek Project
    https://www.facebook.com/ArcadeCreekAACP
    River City Waterway Alliance
    https://www.facebook.com/rivercitywaterwayalliance
30
  • RCWA – American River Cleanup @ Northrop w/ Wayne

    RCWA – American River Cleanup @ Northrop w/ Wayne

    09:00 -12:00
    12/30/2023

    This River City Waterway Alliance cleanup will be co-hosted by Wayne Watts, a long time American River Parkway hero. In fact, Wayne recently received a Certificate of Recognition from Assemblymember Kevin McCarty’s office for his amazing 38 years of dedicated stewardship to the parkway.
    Wayne needs help cleaning some of the trashiest areas of his adopted section, mostly left by abandoned encampments and trashy recreationists. We will be removing as much abandoned trash as possible before this area floods and all the trash is swept into the American River.
    This is a relaxed to challenging level cleanup with plenty of easy areas nearby. RCWA will provide bags, but please bring along your sturdy footwear, grabbers, buckets, and gloves – a limited number of loaner buckets and grabbers may be available.
    As with all events shared on RCWA, participation is performed solely at your own risk. Please place safety FIRST and do only what you feel comfortable doing. Moreover, participants will be required to sign a Release and Waiver form if they have not done so previously.
    Overall, be safe, have fun and get some “Exercise with a Purpose”!
    Thank you!
    River City Waterway Alliance
    “Restoring & Protecting Our Waterways”
    Instagram @RiverCityWaterwayAlliance
    Link to Events:
    https://www.facebook.com/rivercitywaterwayalliance/events
31
January
January
January
January
January
January
Man walking dog

Pet waste is a significant, yet preventable, water pollutant. Please clean up after your pet!

Not all bugs are bad! Learn how
good bugs can defend your home
against pests

Landscape and Nursery Expo

Businesses from all around participate in this annual event. Residents can learn various landscape techniques as well as purchase supplies, equipment, and attend educational seminars.

Tuesday, May 3

For More Information

Contact the Sacramento Stormwater Quality Partnership at

ssqpinfo@cityofsacramento.org
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