Welcome to the City of Brea’s Stormwater section. By using articles in this section you will find out how to identify storm water pollution; how to report it when you see it; and how the storm drain system works.

Documents that guide the Brea’s Stormwater Program will soon be posted, as well as the latest news on pollution prevention efforts made by the City’s Stormwater Program. Plus, you can find pollution prevention tips for both residents and businesses, educational materials, and links to other stormwater resources. This collection of information gives you the tools you need to prevent stormwater pollution and help keep our creeks, channels, bays and ocean CLEAN.

If you are looking for stormwater related information not available on this site please contact the City of Brea’s Stormwater Department at (714) 990-7667.

General Description of Storm Drain Systems
Storm drain systems are designed to prevent flooding by carrying rainwater/stormwater away from city streets and out to the ocean. Stormwater enters the system through a series of catch basins distributed throughout the City. From the catch basins,  water moves through an underground piping system where it empties into the nearest water body. These water bodies are either natural creeks or creeks that have been paved over and are called flood control channels. Because the storm drain system contains no filters, it serves the unintended function of carrying urban pollution out to the nearest water body and then straight to the ocean.

How to Identify When Pollution is Occurring
Water pollution comes in many forms. Sometimes you can see or smell it and other times you cannot. The only water that should be entering the storm drain system is rainwater falling from the sky. However, you may sometimes see water flowing in the street gutters when it is not raining or you may see or smell something peculiar in a creek or channel. Follow the “Allowable Discharges” and “Illegal Discharges” links below and use these guidelines to determine if pollution is occurring. When in doubt, call the City of Brea reporting hotline. It’s better to be safe than polluted!