Do you know what is safe to flush down the drain or toilet? There are only three things that can be safely flushed: pee, poo, and toilet paper! Keeping anything else out of the sewer is one way you can help us!

There are wipes that call themselves "flushable", but they do not break down in the sewer. They often collect in our machinery and can clog our processing equipment! Please thrw away all wipes in a trash can.

Along the same lines, it is a bad idea to pour fats, oils, and grease (FOG) into a drain. While FOG may flow easily with hot water, sooner or later it cools in the pipes and starts to form what's known as a "fatberg". When FOG combines with wipes, a sewer blockage will follow. 

 

Instead, collect your FOG in a jar or can and dispose of it in the trash. Your pipes, and GSD, will thank you!

To find a comprehensive list of environmental solutions for all types of waste, including recycling services and collection sites, waste prevention tips, a Recycling A-Z Guide, and a directory of recycled-content products, visit Santa Barbara County’s Less is More website at: www.lessismore.org.

Actions individuals can take to reduce pollution:

• Dispose of your household hazardous waste properly - it's free.  
  Household substances such as paint, solvents, pesticides, motor oil, antifreeze, and battery fluid rank among the most common of wastewater pollutants. Free hazardous waste collection facilities are available. To find up-to-date information on disposal sites and community collection events, visit Less is More.
• Manage animal waste. Always use bags when walking your pets. Horse and livestock owners must keep corrals clean and properly dispose of manure so that it does not flow into storm drains and/or creeks.
• Dispose of motor oil, paint, and chemicals at a free Community Hazardous Waste Collection Site. Never pour chemicals on the ground or down storm drains.
• Manage septic systems properly. Pump solids out of septic tanks regulary and ensure leach fields are working properly.
• Reduce runoff of fertilizers and pesticides. Try less-toxic garden care products and plant native species that do not require excess fertilizer and irrigation.
• Prevent water runoff into the sewer. Runoff from roofs, gutters, and yards should never be diverted to the sewer system. Excess stormwater can overload the publicly owned treatment works (POTW). 

Information for Community Environmental Groups and Activities

Goleta Sanitary District supports efforts by local governments and community groups to solve the watershed runoff problem. For further information, please contact the appropriate agency:

Creek and Beach Protection
Santa Barbara Audubon Society (wetland restoration) (805) 964-1468; sick or injured birds (805) 681-1080
Environmental Defense Center (land use issues) (805) 963-1622
Surfrider Foundation (Blue Water Task Force) (805) 899-2583
Santa Barbara Urban Creeks Council (creek restoration and cleanup) (805) 962-8260
Save Our Shores Water Quality Hotline (877) 687-6232 (leave recorded message)

Dispose of Motor Oil or Household Hazardous Waste
Used Oil Hotline (805) 882-3615
Community Hazardous Waste Collection Center (805) 882-3602
UCSB - Henry T. Yang Drive, Building 565 
Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. , Sunday 11:00 a.m. -3:00 p.m. 
This facility is closed during rain and on major holidays.

Report a Spill or Pollution incident (Creek or Ocean) 
Santa Barbara County Environmental Health (805) 681-4900
Regional Water Quality Control Board, Central Coast Region (805) 549-3147
California Department of Fish and Wildlife Tip Line (CALTIP) (888) 334-2258

Septic or Graywater System Maintenance 
County Environmental Health (805) 681-4900

Beach Closures and Results of Weekly Ocean Testing 
Ocean Water Quality Hotline (805) 681-4949 Website: www.sbcphd.org

Household Pharmaceutical Waste Disposal 
Unused prescription and over-the-counter medications that are put in drains or flushed down the toilet pollute the environment, so please take medications as prescribed and then properly dispose of any unused portions. Some of the sites in the District are listed below, or you can find more at https://med-project.org/

CVS Pharmacy, 5875 Calle Real, Goleta, (805) 967-5677
CVS Pharmacy, 189 Turnpike Rd, Santa Barbara, (805) 967-4525
Sheriff's Department. Isla Vista Substation, 6504 Trigo Road, Isla Vista (805) 681-4179

Sheriff's Department, Santa Barbara Jail, at 4436 Calle Real, Santa Barbara

For more information about the safe disposal of household medications visit: www.lessismore.org.