Think Blue City of San Diego

The Think Blue program affiliated with the City of San Diego is a worthy educational outreach that seeks to get out the message: «You’re the Solution to Drain Pollution.» Think Blue is essentially a storm water Pollution Prevention Program that has at it’s heart-​the protection of our beaches, bays, and watersheds.
When it rains or when water flows from anywhere, it most likely will end up going directly into the City of San Diego storm drains. Many people assume that if it goes into the storm drains, that water is treated-​like waste-​water is in a standard sewer system. Not so!
Everything that runs down your street and gutter inevitably flows into a storm drain-​untreated-​and then finds its way into local creeks, rivers, bays, estuaries, and finally=Mother Ocean.
Think Blue programs raise awareness to enhance the practices of following certain tips that will allow everyone to aid in the improvement of area water quality. The City has a Think Blue Outreach team and brochures and literature that it sends out. At one point, I remember the stenciling of pictures of dolphins and whales at various storm drain locations that enhanced visually the reality that what is flowing at that point will eventually reach the creatures stenciled right there.
Reminders to consider if you would like to Think Blue: 1) Sweep up trash and debris instead of hosing down driveways. This not only keeps pollutants out of the ocean but saves water as well. 2) Gutters in front of your house or apartment should be free of leaves, debris, and trash. 3) Pick up trash around your home and make sure that trash receptacles are secure. 4) Please pet owners: (this is my big pet peeve!) Pick up pet waste and dispose if it in the toilet or trash bag. Keep that poop out of the watershed where it is full of harmful bacterias and disease that can affect wildlife. 5) Use a car wash that recycles it’s water or wash your automobile with gray recycled household water.
I would have made this valuable program 5 Stars but I think it needs to be even more out there-​perhaps affiliations with other worthy organizations such as Surfrider Foundation or I Love a Clean San Diego would be a positive development. Maybe restart the stenciling projects again to get every single storm drain in the beach communities covered. As a neighbor and Friend of the Famosa Slough and San Diego River Foundation, I cannot emphasize enough about the importance of keeping our waterways clean and clear.
As this is Earth Week and we are now celebrating Earth Day, consider doing your utmost to protect the Oceans and Bays from polluted run-​off and debris. Think Blue!