Did you know? Storm drains and sewer lines are two completely separate underground pipe systems, managed by different agencies.
Sewer System (LWD): Carries wastewater from your home to a treatment facility. Everything gets treated before it goes anywhere near the ocean.
Storm Drains (individual cities): Carries rainwater and street runoff directly to the ocean - no treatment.
That’s why anything that goes into a storm drain - oil, trash, pet waste - goes straight to our waterways. And it’s why we do smoke testing and pipeline inspections to keep these systems separate.
More info: https://www.lwwd.org/community-info/wastewater-information