Below are some frequently asked questions regarding the Clean Water Program:

Q: I received an “Over-Irrigation Advisory Letter” what does this mean?

A: Over-Irrigation Advisory Letters are sent to residents or businesses where runoff was observed that is suspected to be an irrigation issue, such as over-watering, irrigation over-spray, or an irrigation leak. These letters are just a gentle reminder of a member of the public or staff noticing water coming from your property. See the Residential or Commercial webpages for more information about over-irrigation and irrigation runoff.

Q: The soap I use to wash my car says it is biodegradable, I can just wash it down my driveway, right?

A: Individual residential car washing is a conditionally allowed discharge, meaning wash water from individual residential car washing may be discharged to the Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4), so long as it is infeasible to direct the wash water to landscaped areas or other pervious surfaces. It is strongly encouraged to minimize water use by using an automatic shut off nozzle, minimize detergent and other vehicle wash products, and implement other BMPs where feasible to prevent the discharge of pollutants to the MS4. While biodegradable soap is a better alternative to other soaps, it can still cause pollution and carry other pollutants from car washing activities downstream to the creeks and Ocean, causing negative impacts to the environment, wildlife, and public.

Q: I have a swimming pool I need to drain; can I just send it out to the street?

A: Improper pool draining can introduce chlorine, sediment, and other pollutants into the storm drain system, which flows untreated to local creeks, lagoons, and the ocean — harming wildlife and water quality. Pool water must be drained responsibly to prevent pollution. Discharging pool water directly to the street or storm drain is not allowed unless the water is clean, dechlorinated, and free of pollutants. Even then, it must not cause erosion or carry sediment or debris. Filter backwash, diatomaceous earth (DE), and saline pool water must never be discharged to the storm drain system.

If you need to drain your pool, the best option is to discharge slowly to a landscaped area where the water can soak into the ground. You may also discharge to the sanitary sewer with prior approval from the appropriate sewer district. For more information about Residential Pool Draining, see the Residential webpage – Pools & Spas section or review the City of Encinitas Educational Flyer on Pool Draining for step-by-step guidance. Refer to EMC 20.08.050 for code language regarding conditionally allowed discharges.

Q: I need to power wash part of my property, what should I do with the wash water?

A: Wash water from power washing must be fully contained and properly disposed of to prevent pollution. Under EMC 20.08.040, 100% containment and recovery of wash water is required — meaning no water can enter the street, gutter, or storm drain system.

Whether you're cleaning a driveway, patio, roof, building exterior, or equipment, you must use berms, mats, or vacuum systems to contain and collect ALL wash water. The collected water should be disposed of to the sanitary sewer or off-site through an approved method. Power washing without proper BMPs is considered an illegal discharge and may result in enforcement action.

View the City of Encinitas Educational Flyer on Power Washing Requirements for step-by-step guidance.

Visit the Residential webpage – Mobile Vehicle Washing & Power Washing Activities section or the Commercial webpage – Mobile Vehicle Washing & Power Washing Activities section for more information and BMP requirements.

Q: I need to get rid of old paint and used oil, how do I do this responsibly?

A: Old paint and used motor oil are considered household hazardous waste (HHW) and must be disposed of properly to prevent pollution. These items are illegal to place in the trash bin and can harm water quality if dumped into the gutter or storm drain.

Encinitas residents have several safe and convenient disposal options:

• Household Hazardous Waste Collection Service: Schedule a pickup by calling (800) 714-1195 or (877) 443-2371. Pickups for paint, oil, and other HHW items are available for a small copay (waived for residents 65+).
• Certified Drop-Off Locations for Used Oil & Filters: Many local auto shops accept used oil and filters. Examples include AutoZone, Valvoline Instant Oil Change, and Encinitas Ford. See the full list of certified collection centers here.
• Paint Recycling: Use the PaintCare program to recycle leftover paint at participating retailers. You can also donate usable paint through WasteFreeSD.org.
• Quarterly Drop-Off Events: The City hosts free drive-up events for HHW, e-waste, and sharps at City Hall. Check the Public Works Event Calendar for upcoming dates.

For more information, visit the U-Waste, E-Waste, and Household Hazardous Waste page.

Q: Who is responsible for maintaining the storm drain system?

A: The City of Encinitas Public Works Department is responsible for maintaining the above-ground storm drain system. The City of Encinitas Wastewater Maintenance Division maintains the underground storm drain system infrastructure:

• The Street Maintenance Division is responsible for above-ground drainage systems, including biannual inspections, post-storm cleanups, and addressing standing water issues in public right-of-way areas. For more information, visit the Street Maintenance webpage.
• The Wastewater Maintenance Division maintains the underground storm drain system, which includes over 1,789 storm drain boxes and approximately 65 miles of underground pipes. For more information, visit the Wastewater Maintenance webpage.

For questions or to report issues, contact the Public Works Department at (760) 633-2850, the Wastewater Maintenance Division at (760) 753-5018, or use the MyEncinitas App.

Visit the Storm Drain Maintenance page for more details.

Q: Why are there no plastic straws at the businesses within the City?

A: The distribution of Plastic straws is prohibited within the City of Encinitas under Encinitas Municipal Code (EMC) 11.27.060 as part of the City’s Plastic-Free Encinitas initiative. This ordinance was adopted to reduce plastic pollution, protect marine life, and support the City’s broader environmental and zero-waste goals.

Businesses are required to eliminate plastic straws and instead offer reusable, compostable, or fiber-based alternatives. The City provides resources and guidance to help businesses transition to compliant service ware, including the Zero Waste Restaurant Toolkit, which outlines reusable and compostable options, cost-saving strategies, and compliance tips. For more information, visit the Trash & Recycling – Zero Waste page

Q: What types of enforcement actions can the City take for violations of the Municipal Code?

A: The City of Encinitas Clean Water Program enforces Title 20 of the Municipal Code, which prohibits illegal discharges to the storm drain system and requires implementation of Best Management Practices (BMPs). When violations are observed — such as runoff containing pollutants, improper waste disposal, or failure to maintain BMPs — the City may take enforcement actions to correct the issue and prevent environmental harm.

Enforcement actions may include:

• Corrective action requirements and follow-up inspections
• Verbal or written warnings
• Advisory letters or Notices of Violation (NOV)
• Stop Work Notices for construction-related violations
• Administrative citations or fines

The type of enforcement depends on the severity and nature of the violation. The goal is always to educate, correct the issue, and protect water quality.

See the Residential, Commercial, and Construction webpages for examples of common violations and BMP requirements.

Additional Resources

City of Encinitas Jurisdictional Runoff Management Plan – Read about how the City of Encinitas manages pollutant sources

Project Clean Water – Learn more about the County’s stormwater initiatives and learn about the Watershed Management Areas (WMAs) within the County of San Diego

Carlsbad WMA – The City of Encinitas’ jurisdiction is fully within the Carlsbad Watershed Management Area. Learn more about the Carlsbad WMA and view Annual Reports.

City of Encinitas Stormwater Standards Manual – Minimum BMP Requirements – Don’t know if you need to implement BMPs? Review this document!

City of Encinitas BMP Design Manual – Learn how to design and implement permanent BMPs for stormwater management in Encinitas.

City of Encinitas Municipal Code – Review the City’s Municipal Code and Chapter 20.08 Stormwater Management