Trash dropped on the ground always seems to find its way into the gutters, through the catch basins and down the storm drain pipes. It slides through the storm drain system and makes its way into our Santa Clara River, which can ultimately end up in the Pacific Ocean.

Types of trash that frequently pollute our Santa Clara River include cigarette butts, candy bar wrappers, fast food containers, disposable cups, plastic bags and cans and bottles. In fact, trash is a big problem throughout all of California’s waterways. Trash in our waterways not only looks bad, it affects everything that lives and thrives in the river, including plants, fish, birds, frogs and other wild animals.

There are many methods already in place to prevent trash from entering the river, including street sweeping, trash and recycling containers at bus stops and parks, education programs on littering and even trash-catching devices on some storm drains. Even still, trash finds a way into our waterways in Santa Clarita.

A Statewide Trash Policy was adopted in 2015 to make sure all communities do their part to prevent trash in our rivers and ocean. Throughout the next decade, Santa Clarita and all cities throughout California will be required to analyze their communities for high trash-generating areas and increase activities or install special equipment to keep trash out of our waterways.

What You Can Do to Help
One way you can make a difference now is to come help us clean a portion of the Santa Clara River at the 24th Annual River Rally.

The River Rally will take place Saturday, Sept. 22, from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. This year, it will be located in Valencia off of Wiley Canyon Road, east of Orchard Village Road. Pre-Registration is required, but we have a convenient, web-based volunteer registration system. Visit the website for all the details and to register as a volunteer.

For more information on how to keep trash out of our waterways, visit GreenSantaClarita.com.