Let’s talk about runoff. Not the kind where your teenager runs off with your car keys—this is the stuff that floods our gutters, carries pollution to our waterways, and messes with our beloved Southern California rivers.
Runoff sounds harmless. After all, it’s just water, right? But here in Rossmoor, that little post-sprinkler trickle or rainy-day splash from your driveway doesn’t just disappear. It takes a journey—right into storm drains that empty directly into the San Gabriel River. No filters. No cleanup. Just whatever it picks up from your yard, roof, and sidewalk… cruising downstream like it’s on vacation. Except it’s carrying motor oil, fertilizer, pet poop, and anything else it can find.
Gross? Yep. Fixable? Absolutely.
Welcome to the Watershed
First, a little geography for those of us who weren’t paying attention in 10th grade science: Rossmoor is part of the Coyote Creek Watershed, which means the rain (or sprinkler) runoff from our homes doesn’t just sit around. It flows through storm drains and culverts—untreated—into the San Gabriel River, which eventually reaches the Pacific Ocean.
So whatever we do—or don’t do—at home has a ripple effect (pun intended). But the good news is, we can each do small things that collectively make a big difference…
🛑 Wait—Aren’t Storm Drains the Same as the Sewer?
Nope. Not even close.
Your home’s sewer system (toilets, sinks, showers) connects to a treatment plant where the water gets filtered and cleaned before it’s pumped back into the ground or released to the sea, five+ miles from shore.
But the stormwater system (gutters, curbs, street drains) sends rain and runoff straight into local river (the San Gabriel River Channel) and directly to Seal Beach—no treatment, no pit stop, no magic cleanup fairy.
So whatever goes down that storm drain – goes for a ride, pollution and all directly to our beaches.
1. Be Smart with Your Sprinklers
Raise your hand if your sprinkler tries to water the sidewalk.
Go ahead, we’ve all been there. But overwatering (or watering the wrong things) is one of the biggest sources of runoff in residential neighborhoods. That extra water doesn’t just waste money—it’s the taxi that carries pollution away from your property and straight into the creek.
Do this instead:
Set your sprinklers to run before 8 a.m. or after 6 p.m. to reduce evaporation.
Run each zone just long enough to soak the roots—not flood the gutters.
Fix broken sprinkler heads that gush like geysers.
Adjust angles so you’re not hydrating your driveway.
Bonus: You’ll save on your water bill and annoy fewer pedestrians.
2. Pick Up After Fido (Yes, Every Time)
Dog poop isn’t fertilizer. It’s bacteria-packed waste that, when washed into the storm drain, pollutes our waterways and contributes to algae blooms, which are as gross as they sound.
Scooping poop = cleaner creeks. Even if it’s just one forgotten pile, rain (or sprinklers) will carry it off your lawn and into the storm system.
\Keep bags with your leash, and remind your neighbors (nicely) if they “forget.” Maybe with a friendly lawn sign: “Our dog does his business. We do ours.”
3. Keep It Clean (Driveways, Gutters, and Curbs)
Washing your car in the driveway might feel like a Saturday win, but that soapy water—and the grime it lifts—heads straight for the street and into the storm drain.
Better option? Take your car to a commercial car wash, where the water gets treated and reused. If you must wash at home, do it on the lawn with biodegradable soap so the water stays on your property.
Also:
- Sweep, don’t hose, your driveway and sidewalks.
Keep your gutters free of leaves, trash, and your kid’s missing tennis ball.
4. Mind Your Mulch
Bare soil is like an open invitation to erosion. When it rains, dirt and debris go traveling—and not in a fun “European summer” kind of way.
Cover bare spots with mulch to keep soil in place, slow down water, and give your landscaping a polished look. Mulch also keeps weeds in check and helps the soil hold moisture. Stylish and practical—like a good pair of rain boots.
5. Use the Right Fertilizer—and Use It Right
Plants need nutrients, sure. But when you overdo it with fertilizer or apply it just before it rains, it ends up feeding algae in the creek, not your roses.
Smart tips:
Fertilize sparingly, and only when your lawn or plants need it.
Avoid fertilizing if rain is in the forecast (that’s just sending it downstream).
Sweep stray fertilizer off sidewalks and driveways.
6. Consider Native Plants (aka Nature’s MVPs)
Native California plants are used to our weather patterns. They don’t need as much water, fertilizer, or fuss—and their root systems hold soil in place like champs. Plus, they make your yard look like something out of a Sunset Magazine spread.
The OC H2OC program has a great guide to native and drought-tolerant plants that thrive in our area. Check out H2OC.org for more landscaping ideas that won’t send you to the nursery every other weekend.
7. Cover Your Trash, Oil, and Projects
Got a home improvement project going? Don’t let paint, sawdust, or mystery goo get swept away.
Store materials in a covered area
Keep lids on trash cans and recycling bins
Clean up spills ASAP with rags or kitty litter, not the hose
Also, never pour anything down the storm drain. Those drains are for rain only. Really. They should be called “rain drains” to make it clearer.
The Bottom Line: Slow It. Soak It. Keep It Clean.
Your yard may be small, but it’s part of something big. Every drop of water that stays on your property—or at least leaves clean—helps keep Coyote Creek (and beyond) healthier.
Let’s make Rossmoor the neighborhood that treats water like the precious, sneaky, runoff-loving resource it is. Because keeping our creeks clean starts at the curb.
Ready to do your part? Visit H2OC.org for simple tips, plant lists, and even rebates for turf removal and smart irrigation upgrades. Saving water and saving the watershed? That’s what we call a win-win.
if you are interested in helping keep our beaches clean, you can always help out at an upcoming beach clean up day. More information on that here
