The City of Escondido acts quickly to address possible sources of pollution and water waste.
This page is meant as a guide to help you learn about storm drain discharges, water violations, and important information about the City of Escondido's reporting tools. You can help keep Escondido clean and safe by notifying us through Report It! or other methods.
Only rain in the storm drain! Storm drains are not connected to the sewer system, and they drain untreated directly into our creeks, lakes, and ultimately the ocean. The City's storm drain system includes public roads, gutters, channels, and storm drain pipes.
What is a Storm Drain Discharge?
Storm drain discharges are flows that enter the storm drain system and do not consist entirely of rainwater. Any water that flows from households and businesses can carry pollutants into the storm drain system. Pollutants entering the storm drain system are harmful to our environment and our quality of life. Because of this, storm drain discharges are prohibited.
Examples include, but are not limited to:
- Irrigation runoff.
- Sediment and dirt.
- Wash water from cleaning equipment or surfaces, including mobile operations.
- Hazardous materials and chemicals.
- Illegal dumping of trash and debris.
- Improper Pool discharges.
- Pet waste.
- Building or home improvement materials.
All prohibited storm drain discharges are defined in Escondido Municipal Code, Chapter 22, Article 2, Section 22-22. For a list of exceptions, see Escondido Municipal Code Section 22-23.
What is a Water Violation?
It is imperative that we learn to use water efficiently both indoors and outdoors to help achieve long term conservation goals. To achieve these goals, we must avoid behaviors that could contribute to water waste.
Examples include, but are not limited to:
- Watering landscapes between 10:00am and 6:00pm.
- Watering landscape areas in a manner causing significant runoff (irrigation runoff).
- Watering outdoor landscapes during or within 48 hours of measurable rainfall.
- Washing any vehicle with a hose not having a water shut-off nozzle.
- Washing off hardscape with a hose.
- Leaks and line breaks resulting in water leaving the property.
Water Violations are actions that are defined in the Escondido Municipal Code, Chapter 31, Article 5, including Section 31-230 and Section 31-232.
City staff monitors Report It! and the Public Works hotline at 760-839-4668 during the following business hours:
Monday-Thursday, 6:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m. & Fridays, 6:30 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
If you are reporting a storm drain discharge or water waste violation that is considered an emergency, such as a water main break or chemical spill, outside of the hours listed above (including evenings, weekends, and holidays), please call Police Dispatch at 760-839-4722.
If you are reporting an emergency situation that could result in imminent and substantial danger to the health and safety of persons, call 9-1-1.
The City of Escondido accepts reports in English or Spanish. Please note, all required fields must be filled out for Report It! to be submitted and investigated. At a minimum, the City needs the following information to investigate your report:
- The date and time of your observation.
- The location of the violation (street address is required).
- A phone number where you can be reached for questions. Your personal contact information will be kept confidential to the fullest extent allowed by law.
To report pollution concerns in jurisdictions outside of Escondido, visit the Project Clean Water reporting tool.
To report water waste issues outside of the Escondido Water District, find the district by using the San Diego County Water Authority's Find Your Water District tool.