Who 'Ya Gonna Call about water pollution?

What is water pollution?

Water pollution includes:

• Dumping or hosing ANYTHING other than non-chlorinated water into creeks, storm drains, or San Francisco Bay. This includes oil, paint, pet feces, soap, pesticides, fertilizer, garden clippings, dirt, rocks, concrete slurry or dust, and large quantities of silty or chlorinated water.
• Creating conditions that can cause erosion or send significant amounts of silt downstream. This includes any grading, building, or major clearing between stream banks — such work requires a permit from the California Department of Fish and Game.
• Sewage leaks of any kind.

Why report water pollution?

• Some water pollution, such as sewer leaks, creates an immediate health hazard. Erosion can lead to slides and loss of property.
• Other effects are more subtle. For example, silt clogs the gills of aquatic animals, makes it impossible for them to see, and covers their eggs and food. It also washes to salt water, harming organisms and filling the Bay. Pesticides, oil, and paint kill aquatic life directly, especially the larvae that fish need for food. Concrete waste is so alkaline it can kill fish. Fertilizer, pet waste, and garden clippings increase nutrients, depleting oxygen in the water (needed by water animals) and encouraging growth of algae.

What number(s) should you call?

In Berkeley:

During office hours, call Public Works 644 6620 (sewer leaks or city work), Environmental Health (for sewer leaks) 644 6510, and/or Toxics Management Division, 705 8150 (all other pollution).

After hours, call Berkeley Public Works, 644 6620

In Albany:

During office hours, call Environmental Resources, 528 5766 or for sewage, Maintenance, 524 9543.

After hours, call Fire Dept., 528 5770 or, for sewage, Police Dispatch, 525 7300.

In El Cerrito and Kensington:

For sewer leaks, call Stege Sanitary District, 524 4667, 237 3223, 24 hours.

Any spill or dumping in Contra Costa County, call 1-800-NO DUMPING.

In El Cerrito also call Maintenance, 215 4382, or, after hours, police or fire non-emergency. In Kensington also call police or fire non-emergency numbers.

If work in a streambed seems likely to cause erosion or harm wildlife, or if you suspect such work is being done without a State Department of Fish and Game Permit, call California Department of Fish and Game at 481 9618; or 24 hours at 916 445 0045.

If you are not satisfied with the response to a report, call the Regional Water Quality Control Board, 510 622 2312. This is the state agency in charge of water-quality programs.

Friends of Five Creeks also is interested — call 848 9358, or email f5creeks@aol.com.