Storm Water

During a storm, streets and property can quickly flood if water is not able to run off into a storm drain or other infrastructure.

Prepare for winter storms by ensuring storm drains are clear of debris. To prevent flooding on your street, volunteer to adopt a drain. If you live in a flood-prone area, pick up sand bags before a storm at the Corporation Yard. 

In case of flooding or to report a clogged storm drain, call Customer Service at 311 or (510) 981-2489.

Stormwater infrastructure

The existing infrastructure in Berkeley channels stormwater through gutters and storm drains into stormwater pipelines that channel the water directly into the San Francisco Bay. Stormwater pipelines are separate from the sewer lines, which carry sewage water to treatment plants before being discharged into the bay.

In order to achieve the goals of the City’s Watershed Management Plan, Berkeley is implementing Low Impact Development and Green Infrastructure approaches. These approaches primarily use landscape-based methods to handle stormwater near the run-off source, before entering into storm drains. 

Rainwater management methods include: bioswales, permeable paving, underground stormwater storage, rain gardens, and rainwater catchment. Explore a map of public and private green infrastructure installations using Alameda County Clean Water Program’s Stormwater Project Mapping Viewer.

Preventing pollution run-off

Water that enters through storm drains empties directly into the bay, without any treatment. You should never dump any materials into storm drains and can report illegal dumping by calling (510) 981-6620.