“Red Phone, I have a question. I’ve seen several of my neighbors dump their car’s oil and other garbage in the storm drain. This is terrible for the environment and should not be condoned. Who do I report this to?”
Red Phone: Dear Annoyed, Red Phone gets this question every year or so. Anthony Eulo, program administrator for the city, said there is no treatment system on a city’s stormdrains and water in the system travels directly into our local creeks and ultimately the Pajaro River and Monterey Bay.
“Given this, all pollutants placed in the gutter or stormdrains are a danger to local fish and wildlife,” he said. “Therefore, per the city’s National Pollution Discharge Elimination System Municipal Permit and Storm Water Management Plan, discharges of any kind into the stormdrain system, creeks, streams, or rivers other than clean water is not allowed and considered an illegal discharge.”
Items like used oil, paints and trash should never be purposefully dumped into the city’s storm drain system. Such activity can be reported to the city’s Code Enforcement Officer at 778-6480 or reported on-line by going to the “Report a Concern” button on the right side of www.morganhill.ca.gov.
There you have it, good caller. Feel free to report anyone who dumps pollutants into the storm drain.
No more animal control officer
“We have been dealing with a neighbor’s barking dog for quite a while. I’d like to think that Animal Control would at least attempt to return a complaintants concern to keep us from having to involve MHPD as I know they have more serious issues to deal with. What is the standard response for Animal Control?”
Red Phone: Dear Peaceful Neighbor, the Animal Control position was eliminated last year, so at this time police are responding to all complaints. However, if you missed it, check out the story on today’s front page. Also, a similar question was answered in this column Tuesday (Jan. 17). Check it out at www.morganhilltimes.com
Hope that helps, good caller.
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