It might be hard to believe, but at one point in time, San Mateo County was a completely undeveloped landscape.

Although our forests, creeks, and shorelines are still immensely beautiful, over time, we have turned much of our natural landscape into a built environment through urban development. In doing so, our ability to capture and utilize rainfall has been diminished. This is a serious challenge for our community because periods of intense storming on developed land often lead to increased stormwater runoff and pollution that can threaten environmental and public health.

But, what if we could create a balance between nature and urban development? This is the beauty of green infrastructure. It offers a new sustainable approach to how we manage stormwater in our built environment. Keep reading to learn about the many uses of green infrastructure!

An example of what Green Infrastructure can look like at your local park.

Getting Creative with Green Infrastructure

There are many types of green infrastructure and it can be used at different scales, from backyards to sidewalks to entire ecosystems, like wetlands that buffer against tides and erosion. When we refer to green infrastructure as it relates to stormwater management, the focus is on engineered facilities designed to help us capture, store, and treat rain that falls on our buildings, streets, and other areas in our urban environment, using special soils and plants that filter, absorb, and evapotranspire water, mimicking a more natural water cycle.

Check out Flows To Bay’s free Green Infrastructure Video Resources to learn more about green infrastructure in San Mateo County.

City, County, and State-Level Green Infrastructure

At the city or county scale, green infrastructure is a collection of natural areas that provide benefits such as habitat, shade, flood protection, and cleaner air and water (see the Green Infrastructure Factsheet, for a quick overview of the benefits). Examples may include the preservation and restoration of natural landscapes such as wetlands and creeks.

Neighborhood-Level Green Infrastructure

At the neighborhood or property scale, green infrastructure can look like rain gardens, permeable pavements, green roofs, bioswales, trees, and rainwater harvesting systems such as rain barrels and cisterns. These green infrastructure features can be incorporated into schools, yards, new housing developments, parks, streets, sidewalks, parking lots, and nearly anywhere else you can imagine in our urban environment.

Where have you seen green infrastructure in your community?

A sustainable street in Burlingame, CA that can help protect the community from flooding and reduce stormwater runoff.

Green Infrastructure Projects in San Mateo County

Flows to Bay’s Green Infrastructure Story Map features green infrastructure projects in the public realm within a variety of settings, including streets, building sites, and lots, which municipalities have built over the past several years showing progress toward integrating infrastructure enhancements and shifting stormwater infrastructure from “gray” to “green.” In San Mateo County, “sustainable streets” are multi-benefit projects designed to improve street conditions for walkability, cycling, urban greening, climate resiliency, and water quality.

C/CAG recently funded ten Safe Routes to School (SRTS) and Green Streets Infrastructure Pilot Projects, which were intended to show the cost efficiencies and multiple community benefits of integrating bike and pedestrian improvements with green stormwater infrastructure. This map will continue to be updated as more green infrastructure projects are built throughout the County, as the municipalities work towards building a more resilient and sustainable stormwater system.

Flows to Bay’s Green Infrastructure Story Map showcases street improvement projects that demonstrate the progress local agencies are making toward shifting stormwater infrastructure from “gray” to “green.”

If you are interested in using green infrastructure to reduce stormwater pollution on your property and in your community, we’re happy to share that there is at least $300 available to you in a rebate to help you transform your yard into a sustainable rain garden with gorgeous native plants that attract local pollinators. If you have not yet accessed Bay Area Water Supply and Conservation Agency’s (BAWSCA) Lawn Be Gone! rebate with rain garden addition, get started today! You can learn more about next steps on our Rain Gardens & Rebates page.

If you are looking for additional tips, make sure to check out these resource links, sample design plans, webinar recording, and informational videos for everything you need to know about rain garden design, construction, and maintenance!

**A rain garden is a shallow landscaped depression that captures, cleans, and absorbs rainwater from a roof, driveway or street.**

Remember, stormwater pollution prevention starts with you! We encourage you to explore the numerous pages and resources (including this 5-part video series) about green infrastructure that are available on the Flows To Bay website at no cost. No matter how big or small your actions are, we are so thankful that you are a part of this community and this movement to prevent stormwater pollution in our lovely county.

Have questions or ideas you’d like to share about how to reduce stormwater pollution in your community? Flows To Bay is here to help! Please reach out and we’ll gladly do what we can to support you.

It’s just about time to say farewell to fall and welcome the holiday season and all of the joy that comes along with the winter months! As we know all too well, along with the festivities comes colder temperatures and an increased prevalence of storms in San Mateo County.

There’s no doubt that last winter’s storms are still soaking up our attention. Although they provided much-needed relief to our statewide drought, the frequent and intense storming also caused significant flooding and posed a serious threat to the health of our local waterways.

At any time of the year, stormwater runoff can transport harmful pollutants such as pet waste and motor oil from our urban areas into our local waterways, but during extreme rain events, stormwater pollution becomes an even greater risk to environmental and public health.

The good news is that we are working together as a community to prepare for the rainy season and minimize the amount of stormwater pollution in our waterways. Keep reading to learn about this year’s highly successful rain barrel campaign and the actions you can take today to ensure you are ready for the wet season!

Hundreds of residents showed up this November to pick up their discounted rain barrels.

Hurrah for Another Successful Rain Barrel Distribution Event

Thanks to the hundreds of San Mateo residents who participated in our bulk rain barrel program this year, our third annual Rain Barrel Distribution Event was undoubtedly the best one yet! The event took place in the City of San Mateo on Saturday, November 4th, and around 180 community members attended the drive-thru event to conveniently pick up their pre-ordered 50-gallon rain barrels. This tremendous feat would not have been possible without our exceptional team and our wonderful partners, the City of San Mateo and Rainwater Solutions.

Residents picking up their rain barrels at this year’s distribution event in the City of San Mateo.

Meet One of the Heroes of the Rain Barrel Movement

We connected with Allison B. from Redwood City to learn more about her experience joining the rain barrel movement. Allison immediately reflected on how her new rainwater harvesting project relates to stormwater pollution prevention in her community. Living in the hills of Redwood City, she fared pretty well in the intense storms last year. But, due to highly saturated soils, she noted that most of the rain they received turned into runoff that transported harmful pollutants into local waterways:

“We have a view of the bay and can see the bay waters change from blue to brown after the big storms. While our two rain barrels won’t change that, it is important for all of us to try to do the little things that we can do, like recycling, using fewer chemicals, conserving water, and installing rain barrels! Every little bit helps.”
AlLISON b., rEDWOOD CITY

Indeed, every action that our community takes, no matter how large or small, can help us protect our precious waterways. The residents who participated in this year’s campaign and distribution event serve as an incredible example of what we can achieve together. The 297 rain barrels purchased this year through the program can capture nearly 15,000 gallons of stormwater during a single storm event and prevent it from transporting harmful pollutants into our streets, storm drains, and local waterways! And better yet, if we trend back to drought conditions, those barrels have conserved gallons of water to use.

Allison kindly shared some details about her experience with this year’s sale. She recalled how easy the online purchase system was to use and that when she arrived at the event, “there was no line and plenty of people to help us through the pickup process. The staff on-site loaded the barrels into our SUV, and we were on our way.”

Allison has already installed her rain barrels using the video instructions provided by Rain Water Solutions: “We have downspouts that go into a French drain, and the instructions even included information on how to handle that situation. I did the entire installation on my own in an hour or so. The rain barrels are working great!”

For those who may be feeling anxious about applying for BAWSCA’s rain barrel rebate, Allison found the process to be simple and straightforward and she has already received her rebate check in the mail. Please visit our Rain Barrel Rebate page to see a complete list of FAQs and steps to apply for the rebate, which can cover up to 100% of the per-barrel price (pre-tax) for qualifying applicants.

**One of Allison B.’s newly installed**
**Ivy rain barrels.**

We followed up with Allison about how her new rain barrels fit into her current landscaping design. She plans to use the harvested water to irrigate her yard in the dry season, and in particular, the south-facing native landscaping, which although drought-tolerant, still needs a lot of water because of the sun exposure. Although it can often feel like a drop in a bucket, every ounce of water she captures with these new barrels and uses to water her landscaping will help conserve precious potable water for our region.

**Allison’s south-facing native landscaping.**

It’s Your Turn to Join the Rain Barrel Movement in SMC!

Each time a resident like Allison installs a rain barrel on their property, they are making a positive impact on our local water quality and water supply. By taking this initiative, they are also joining a movement of neighbors who care about human and environmental health and have an important role to play in keeping our community resilient in a changing climate. All of us at Flows To Bay are so thankful for each and every one of you who supports water conservation and pollution prevention in San Mateo County.

Once you install your discounted barrel(s), we encourage you to place yourself on the Rain Barrel Map (pictured below) to officially join the rain barrel movement! If you’re absolutely loving your new rain barrel setup, we also welcome you to share your story and pictures with us by filling out our Water-Wise Home Project Form. We’d love to feature your project and share it with other San Mateo County residents.

**Flows to Bay’s** **Rain Barrel Map** **shows how our community is working to capture every last drop.**

If you were unable to participate in this year’s bulk discount event, you can still purchase a rain barrel from Rainwater Solutions or a local supplier and apply for BAWSCA’s rain barrel rebate! Please keep in mind that Flows To Bay does not endorse any specific company or brand. You can also sign up for our newsletter to stay informed about our next sale!

Get Prepared for the Stormy Season

There are many ways to help prevent stormwater pollution besides installing rain barrels on your property. Here are some simple actions you can take this winter to help keep our community safe.

**These HHW items must be stored in a secure location away from rain and runoff.**

Sandbags

Sandbags offer a simple and cost-effective way to prevent flood damage. In the event of a flood, you can use sandbags to help divert water around your home or business. San Mateo County Public Works offers up to 15 pre-made sandbags at no cost to residents of unincorporated areas. Many other cities in the county offer sandbags to community members. Be sure to look up your city’s public works online to get more information about the resources that are available to you.

Be mindful of pesticide use on rainy days

At Flows To Bay, we believe in Integrated Pest Management (IPM) – a strategy that emphasizes less-toxic control solutions that have the least environmental impact to keep pests at acceptable, low-levels. If you opt to use pesticides to manage your garden, try to choose the least-toxic product available and don’t apply them outdoors when rain is predicted as it can wash these chemicals off of your property and into our local waterways.

Store HHW in a secure location

Do not store household hazardous waste – chemical wastes and materials typically used within a household such as paints, cleaning solutions, oil, batteries, and pesticides – in locations where flooding is possible or where rain or runoff can reach these items.

**Explore our website to learn more about the many ways that you can help prevent stormwater pollution in your community.**

Remember, stormwater pollution prevention starts with you! These are just a few ways that you can help protect the health of our community and beautiful environment. We encourage you to explore the numerous pages and resources about stormwater pollution prevention that are available on the Flows To Bay website at no cost. Perhaps you would enjoy learning about successful schoolyard greening projects, the ins and outs of green infrastructure, or how to design your own sustainably-stylish rain garden! No matter how big or small your actions are, we are so thankful that you are a part of this community and this movement to prevent stormwater pollution in our lovely county.

Have questions or ideas you’d like to share about how to reduce stormwater pollution in your community? Flows To Bay is here to help! Reach out to Flows To Bay and we’ll gladly do what we can to support you.

From the towering redwood forests to shorelines teeming with wildlife, our beloved San Mateo County is truly a rich and diverse landscape. Whether you live bayside or by the sea, there is no doubt that we all cherish this special place we call home.

As precious as it is, one of the biggest threats to our natural environment is our overconsumption of single-use plastics. Despite our best intentions, these products often end up in our local waterways where they can reduce water quality, harm local wildlife, and damage human health when ingested by the fish we eat. This is why it is so important for all of us to be stewards of our environment, and do what we can to establish a litter-free San Mateo County.

Luckily, there are actions you can take today and any day to help preserve our environment and keep our communities healthy and safe!

The pristine Half Moon Bay coastline on a clear summer day.

Coastal Cleanup Day 2023

Coastal Cleanup Day is an annual statewide waterway and land cleanup held on the third Saturday of every September. It’s the state’s largest annual volunteer event and an excellent opportunity for all of us to come together as a community to remove trash from our environment before the winter storms come along and transport it into our waterways, the San Francisco Bay, and the Pacific Ocean.

Since 1985, over 1.6 million volunteers across the state have collected over 26 million pounds of trash! But this event is about more than just removing trash from our environment. The data that we collect from Coastal Cleanup Day has served a critical role in shaping groundbreaking legislation such as the single-use plastic bag ban that California passed in 2016. Since that time, we have observed a major decrease in the percentage of plastic bags found on beaches during Coastal Cleanup Day, which begs the question: What other single-use plastics can we get banned through collective action?

This year, The California Coastal Commission announced that the 39th Annual California Coastal Cleanup Day will be held on Saturday, September 23, 2023, from 9am to Noon. Please visit https://www.smchealth.org/general-information/coastal-cleanup-day-2023 to learn about the 30+ clean-up locations you can volunteer at in San Mateo County and register with a team.

Can’t make it that morning? You can still participate in Coastal Cleanup Day by cleaning up your neighborhood any time throughout the month of September. Stormwater runoff can transport plastic waste and other pollutants from our neighborhoods into our local waterways at a very fast rate, so you can still make a huge impact on water quality and marine health by staying local.

Join us for Coastal Cleanup Day 2023! (Image source: SMC Health)

This event also serves as a reminder that we are overusing and discarding way too much trash into our environment each year. Participating in Coastal Cleanup Day is an easy way to help remedy the problem, but the real solution is for all of us to consider how we can reduce how much plastic waste we produce every day.

At Flows To Bay, Zero Waste Is The Way

Zero waste is a process and a philosophy that involves a redesign of products and consumption in a way that all material goods can be reused or recycled—or not discarded at all. This approach champions actions we can take to avoid using the single-use plastics that we often find washing up on our beautiful coastline.

Recycling is often celebrated as one of the best environmental actions that we can take as individuals. While it’s still important to recycle whenever possible, refusing to use products, reducing our consumption, and reusing materials often have a larger positive impact on our environment.

Aspiring for a zero waste lifestyle is one of the best ways to protect our local waterways. (Image source: Institute for Local Self-Reliance)

Refuse

The best thing you can do to have an impact on plastic waste reduction is to simply refuse to use single-use plastics whenever possible. This may seem challenging at first, but with some basic preparation, it can become fairly easy. By saying “no thanks” to free disposable items and carrying your own reusable items such as grocery bags, a water bottle, and cutlery, you can make a huge difference!

Reduce

The less we consume, the less we waste! Although it may seem obvious, we can find great power in reducing the amount of items we own and choose to buy going forward. More often than not, we don’t end up using these items as we originally intended to and they can end up as waste in our landfills and on our beaches.

Reuse

Although we should all strive to refuse and reduce whenever we can, there will always be a need for us to consume. In these moments, reusing is what we can do to extend the usefulness of the products we consume before they are discarded. This can be a very fun and creative activity, such as repairing clothing or turning an empty pasta jar into a vase for your flowers.

An inside look at a local sustainable grocery store! (Image Source: Byrd’s Filling Station.)

Support Local Businesses!

Another great way to contribute to waste reduction is to support local sustainable businesses that are working to make a zero-waste and plastic-free lifestyle easier for all San Mateo County residents. Check out a few highlights below!

Reusable San Mateo County is currently piloting reusable takeout containers with several eateries in Burlingame.
Byrd’s Filling Station is a sustainable grocery store that sells reusable containers and offers bulk refill services to completely cut single-use plastic out of the picture. Read our blog from last year to learn more about their incredible story.
Okapi Reusables partners with local cafes to offer reusable cups that keep your drink hotter or colder longer and minimize environmental impact.

Remember, stormwater pollution prevention starts with you! There are so many ways that you can help reduce single-use plastic waste in our community. You can volunteer at Coastal Cleanup Day, take our litter pledge, support one of the sustainable businesses listed above, or decide to make one small and simple change in your lifestyle to contribute to waste reduction in San Mateo County. Zero waste may be the goal, but when many of us collectively reduce our waste just a little bit, we can achieve so much more than we ever thought was possible.

Have questions or ideas you’d like to share about how to reduce waste in your community? Flows To Bay is here to help! Reach out to Flows To Bay and we’ll gladly do what we can to support you.

Although Earth Day has passed, we should always be working to make our communities more sustainable and resilient to change. At Flows To Bay, we view every day as Earth day since every day is an opportunity to conserve water and keep our beautiful waterways pollution-free!

Even as we transition from a record wet season to warmer and drier months, stormwater pollution and landscape runoff can still threaten the health of our local creeks, the San Francisco Bay, and the Pacific Ocean. This is because water that flows from our buildings and lawns can transport harmful pollutants such as litter and animal waste from our urban landscape down our untreated storm drains and into our local waterways. Luckily, rain barrels and rain gardens are great ways to capture and manage runoff before it reaches our storm drains and can damage our local waterways and the precious organisms that depend on them.

Schools happen to be perfect locations to integrate these rainwater harvesting features that serve to save water, reduce runoff, and improve stormwater quality in our urban environment. Click here to learn more about Flows To Bay’s efforts to create rainwater resilient schools in partnership with the San Mateo County Sustainable and Climate Ready Schools Partnership Network.

On March 25th, Flows To Bay partnered with Each Green Corner and a local Rainwater Harvesting Specialist named Chris Corvetti to install a daisy chain rain barrel system at Central Middle School (CMS) in San Carlos. The project served as an opportunity for the community to come together to learn hands-on about the rain barrel installation process and for the school to increase their capacity to capture stormwater and prevent stormwater pollution.

The new 220-gallon daisy chain rain barrel catchment system at Central Middle School.

Central Middle School’s Daisy Chain Rain Barrel Installation

Ten enthusiastic community volunteers attended the hands-on workshop. The skill level varied tremendously within the group, but the beauty of the event was how accessible it was for anyone who just wants to learn the basics about rain barrels and how to install them properly. In fact, there was even one fourth grade student who participated!

This workshop is a great example of what Flows To Bay can organize for other schools in the county, so let’s take a deeper look at each step of the installation process.

Learning the Basics

The first step of the workshop was making sure that all of the attendees were up to speed. So, our amazing rainwater harvesting specialist Chris gave a brief presentation on stormwater pollution and the basic anatomy of rain barrel systems.

Chris explained how rain barrels function to help us prevent stormwater pollution. Then, she introduced all of the components that come with the BlueBarrel DIY-RainKit that we would be using to set up the new system at Central Middle School. BlueBarrel’s rain barrel system is particularly affordable and sustainable because it’s made from repurposed 55-gallon barrels.

If you are interested in purchasing a BlueBarrel DIY-RainKit for your home or school, don’t forget to use Flows To Bay’s promo code to get 10% off! Make sure to also check out our rain barrel and rebate page to see if you are eligible for up to $200 in rebates through the Countywide Rain Barrel Rebate Program and Bay Area Water Supply and Conservation Agency (BAWSCA).

**Chris Corvetti presenting on rain barrels and how they help prevent stormwater pollution.**

Plumbing Skills

After we covered the basics, it was time to get to work! Chris showed us how to cut PVC pipes and glue them to the repurposed BlueBarrels so we could create the daisy chain system.

BlueBarrel’s daisy chain system allows you to easily connect as many barrels as you want to each other so there is no limit to the amount of storage capacity that you can install! Although it may seem complex, the system is actually very simple. When water flowing from your downspout (think: gutter) fills up the first barrel, the extra water flows through the overflow hole on the bottom and into the next barrel. You can learn more about how this system works on their website.

This simple yet powerful system allowed us to set up four 55-gallon rain barrels, with a total storage capacity of 220 gallons of water!

Chris Corvetti helping two residents learn how to attach PVC pipes to BlueBarrels.

Heavy Lifting Before Lunch

Once we set up the plumbing, we moved the rain barrels from the school’s courtyard to their final home next to our chosen rain gutter and above a nearby planter box.

Then it was time for lunch! To reward everyone for their hard work, Flows To Bay brought sandwiches, snacks and beverages for all of the attendees.

Snacks, water and informational fliers that Flows To Bay brought for the attendees of the workshop.

Creating A Drip Irrigation System

After lunch, we all got our hands dirty and spent some time removing weeds from the planter adjacent to the rain barrels. You can really see just how much we removed in the images below.

The next item on the agenda was to create an automatic drip irrigation system that feeds overflow water from the rain barrels into the nearby planter of fig trees. First, we configured the rain barrels to a flow controller and pump with an automatic timer that will make it easy for students at the school to water the planter on a regular basis.

Next, we cut a gardening hose and attached it to the barrels to create the drip irrigation system that feeds into the planters (see the black piping in the image on the right).

**A resident weeding the planter adjacent to the new daisy chain rain barrel system. (Left)**
**The newly installed drip irrigation system at CMS. (Right)**

At Flows To Bay, every day is Earth day.

Next Steps at CMS

The installation was a great success, but the work does not stop there! Each Green Corner, who donated the 4 barrels we installed during this event, will continue to work with the school to install mulch and additional plants in the nearby planter.

That’s all it takes! The result of our combined efforts was a newly installed daisy chain rain barrel system that has the potential to harvest over 8,000 gallons of water over the course of a year and feeds overflow water into the garden right next to it. Central Middle School will benefit tremendously from this addition of green infrastructure that can help capture, clean and absorb stormwater runoff on campus.

**Chris Corvetti and some of the workshop attendees discussing the new rain barrel catchment system at CMS.**

Even though Flows To Bay helped organize the event, this was truly a hands-on workshop, so we want to give a special shout out to all of the residents who attended and made this installation possible. You all demonstrate just how much our community shows up and embraces every day as earth day.

Stormwater pollution prevention starts with you! Not sure where you or your school should start? Flows To Bay is here to help! Reach out to Flows To Bay and we’ll help you get set up with a rain barrel or rain garden project on your campus.

While the intense storms that have been pouring it on us this year may ease the severity of our statewide drought, intense storming also poses a significant threat to the health of our local waterways. Heavy flows of stormwater runoff can transport harmful pollutants such as litter and animal waste from our urban landscape into our local waterways at an alarming rate.

It is more important than ever for our community to implement practices that can help us capture rainwater and prevent stormwater pollution. Luckily, rain barrels and rain gardens are great ways to capture and manage stormwater that flows from buildings and other hard surfaces before it goes down our untreated storm drains and into our waterways.

Schools are perfect locations to incorporate these rainwater harvesting features that serve to conserve water, reduce runoff, and improve stormwater quality in our urban environments, all while educating the youth on stormwater-friendly practices. Click here to learn more about Flows To Bay’s efforts to create rainwater resilient schools in partnership with the San Mateo County Sustainable and Climate Ready Schools Partnership Network.

Last year, Flows To Bay partnered with Half Moon Bay High School (HBHS) to install a rain barrel in front of the school. The project served as an opportunity for the school to increase their stormwater capture capacity and teach their students about the importance of rainwater harvesting and stormwater pollution prevention.

**Joseph Centoni and some of the HBHS students who worked on last year’s rainwater harvesting project.**

Half Moon Bay High School’s Rainwater Harvesting Project

Joseph Centoni, a dedicated Biology, Marine Ecology, and AP Environmental Science Teacher at HBHS, and a group of his AP Environmental Science students led the rain barrel planning and installation. Before installing the rain barrel, the students also created a rain garden, a shallow landscaped depression that captures, cleans, and absorbs stormwater runoff, in the front of the school. The result of all their efforts was a newly installed rain barrel that feeds water into the native drought-tolerant rain garden right next to it.

**Students working together to dig out a basin for the new rain garden at Half Moon Bay High School.**

**Students unloading gravel for their new rain garden basin at Half Moon Bay High School.**

“Students were involved in the installation, especially setting up the overflow area connected (rain garden), and they set the base. A few (students) really advocated for getting the rain barrel installed.”
Joseph Centoni, HBHS

Benefits of Stormwater Capture

Before they added these green infrastructure elements, Joseph said the school’s rain gutters just drained to the street, so by capturing runoff from the nearby roof, they will help reduce the flow of stormwater runoff that can carry pollutants into storm drains and then into our local creeks, the San Francisco Bay, and the Pacific Ocean.

Hands-on Curriculum

This rainwater harvesting project allowed the students to be directly involved in the installation efforts and gain hands-on experience that deepened their knowledge of stormwater pollution prevention. Joseph mentioned that the topics of rainwater harvesting and stormwater pollution prevention do come up in AP Environmental Science, but they are not a core part of the curricula. This project allowed his students to understand these topics on a practical level.

The project also helped them develop new skills. Joseph noted that some students had no idea how to do any kind of plumbing at all before the project, but they embraced the learning experience and put all the pipes together themselves.

Students as Sustainability Communicators

The students’ hands-on involvement in the project not only helped them learn the importance of rainwater harvesting, but also encouraged them to share this knowledge with their parents and peers. As sustainability communicators, these students can continue to educate others in the community about their project and the importance of rainwater harvesting.

Visualizing Change

Joseph emphasized the importance of their careful decision to place the barrel in the front of the school. He said there are locations on campus that may have been easier for installation but would not have much use for the water. The front of the school has perfect use for their rain garden project and also delivers extra benefits.

His AP Environmental Science students designed the informational signage out in front of the school that describes the project and features their artwork. Both the project and the signage are highly visible to the Half Moon Bay community and can be the catalyst for important conversations about stormwater management.

**Students putting the pipes together for the new rain barrel at Half Moon Bay High School.**

“Now that we have some of these (rain barrels) around, it’s catching on.”
Joseph Centoni, HBHS

**Students working together to install the new rain barrel at Half Moon Bay High School.**

HBHS and Cabrillo Unified Are Really Pouring It On

HBHS and the entire Cabrillo Unified School District are really pouring it on with their sustainability initiatives, and it’s all about collaboration! Joseph is a part of a fairly new district-wide sustainability committee that inspired him to take on this rainwater harvesting project at his school. As Joseph said, people must be catching on, because they currently have a rainwater harvesting project at every school in the district!

Stormwater pollution prevention starts with you! Not sure where you or your school should start? Flows To Bay is here to help! Reach out to Flows To Bay (info@flowstobay.org) and we’ll help you get set up with a rain barrel or rain garden project on your campus.

San Mateo County and surrounding areas are seeing record amounts of rain, but as meteorologist Richard Heim explained in the LA Times, “A few months of really wet weather, well, it’s not going to make much of a dent in these deficits that have accumulated over the years.” So, don’t let this fool you – water conservation efforts are as vital as they’ve ever been, and the San Mateo County residents who participated in this year’s rain barrel program are doing their part to harvest and conserve rainwater!

Capturing rainwater reduces the runoff that otherwise funnels into streets and picks up pollutants from all surfaces, including roofs.

Expanding the Program

After 4 rain barrel distribution events, Flows To Bay sent a total of 825 rain barrels home to over 450 San Mateo County residents. Those 825 barrels will capture 41,250 gallons of water each time they are completely filled!

Thank you to the Public Works Departments of Daly City, Millbrae, Redwood City, and San Mateo for hosting this year’s distribution events. Their assistance, paired with immense resident excitement and support, enabled us to double the number of distribution events compared to last year’s pilot program.

We’re seeing a significant and proactive mindset spreading broadly among communities with an interest in conserving water, preparing for large storm events, and turning rainwater into a resource. This is very exciting to see!

REID BOGERT, C/CAG STORMWATER PROGRAM SPECIALIST

Soaking Up the Rain

San Mateo resident and proud rain barrel program participant, Kevin, shared his excitement on social media through a series of Instagram posts. In his series, Kevin shocked friends and family by revealing that his 50-gallon rain barrel filled up with rainwater in less than a day!

Kevin jumped at the chance to order his barrel this year after hearing about the program last year and missing out on ordering a barrel before the program sold out. Kevin describes himself as “eco-conscious as the average person who’s just trying to do the best he can.” Interestingly, making a big impact isn’t as challenging as one might think! After participating this year and already seeing an immense payoff, ordering additional barrels next year is a no-brainer for Kevin. Kevin’s biggest takeaway after receiving his barrel?

It’s much easier than I thought it would be. Water that runs off a roof can be easily reused with very modest alterations. I don’t know why more people aren’t doing it.

KEVIN SIMPSON, SAN MATEO RESIDENT

Here are some other helpful rain barrel tips we picked up from our chat with Kevin:

When considering how many barrels to get, order more than you think. You’ll be shocked at how quickly your rain barrels fill up!
Use paver stones to level the ground and provide a platform for your barrel(s).
Kevin’s not the handiest guy in the world (his words), so don’t let your handiness skills deter you because setting up the barrel is “incredibly easy.”

Thank you, Kevin, for taking the time to share your experience with your community! Check out Kevin’s rain barrel setup and post series on Instagram @kevin_simpson_stargazer.

Do you have a rain barrel? You can make a positive impact by helping show the importance of this simple action in San Mateo County!

Share a photo of you with your rain barrel setup, tag @Flowstobay in your caption on Instagram and Facebook, and be sure to include the hashtag #FlowsToBarrel.

Add yourself to our interactive map to join the San Mateo County Rain Barrel Movement!

Interested in learning more about rainwater harvesting and gardening tips? Check out our recent blog!

Subscribe to our newsletter to stay up-to-date on future rain barrel events and giveaways!

Improving your garden by introducing native plant life is an easy and visually attractive way to protect our water resources from stormwater (rainwater) pollution! Native plants act as the “first line of defense” and filter pollutants that would otherwise travel to waterways. Working as a natural filtration system is just one of the many environmental benefits native plants provide.

The Benefits of California Native Plants

With winter on the horizon and the rainy season among us, now is the time to consider how colder and wetter conditions impact water conservation efforts in our yard and garden. California is still in a drought, so make the most of the gift of rain this season and incorporate native plants into your landscape to maximize the benefits of rain while minimizing rainwater runoff pollution!

San Mateo County receives an average of 24 inches of rain per year, with the rainy season lasting from October to May. During this period, the excess rainwater that does not soak into the ground travels on streets and pavements (also known as impermeable surfaces) and will pick up pollutants along the way into storm drains, which drain into local creeks, the San Francisco Bay, and the Pacific Ocean. Because native plants are best suited for the semi–Mediterranean climate, their deep roots absorb rainwater and prevent runoff from ever reaching these impermeable surfaces.

**(Native plants absorb excess rainwater and prevent runoff from reaching impermeable surfaces**.)

Permeable surfaces on the other hand work to counter the effects of runoff from rainwater and irrigation. Permeable surfaces are areas of land that contain materials such as mulch and turf. These materials allow water to trickle through while filtering out pollutants. There are also permeable paving surfaces for driveways and walkways, such as interlocking concrete pavers, porous asphalt, and pervious concrete. The combination of native plants and permeable surface materials prevents harmful chemicals and waste from traveling through the environment when it rains.

When deciding which native plants to surround your permeable walkways and driveway, consider adding Yerba buena, Hummingbird sage, or other climate-friendly plants. These plants do well in areas like San Mateo County, meaning you can enjoy a thriving yard that’s both beautiful and environmentally beneficial all season long. For more plant-related recommendations, check out these resources from the UC Master Gardeners of San Mateo & San Francisco Counties.

Maximize the Power of Native Plants with Your Very Own Rain Garden!

Have you heard about rain gardens? Do you know how they work? If not, we’ve got you covered!

A rain garden isn’t a garden of rain – it’s actually a garden comprised of native shrubs, flowers, and perennials planted in a shallow hole made for rainwater collection. Rain gardens with native plants are a powerhouse for rainwater absorption.

**(Rain gardens help reduce runoff and support local waterways.)**

Rain gardens are both aesthetically pleasing and environmentally functional. The strategic placement of rain gardens allows rain runoff (or stormwater runoff) to absorb into the garden’s flower bed, soaking up the rainwater that would usually sit at the foundation of your house or erode your soil.

To help you install your own rain garden and convert a traditional lawn to a water-efficient landscape at the same time, check out the Bay Area Water Supply and Conservation Agency’s (BAWSCA) “Lawn Be Gone” community-based rebate program. If you are a customer of a BAWSCA member agency, you are eligible to receive $1-4 per square foot of lawn replaced and can earn an additional $300 by adding a rain garden!

To see if you’re part of a BAWSCA member agency and for more information about the “Lawn Be Gone” rebate with rain garden addition, visit our “Rain Gardens & Rebate Program” web page here.

Support Our Waterways and Your Wallet through Rainwater Harvesting

**(Collecting rainwater in barrels and cisterns is optimal and more cost-effective for watering plants than tap water.)**

Rain barrels are containers positioned next to homes and other standing structures that collect water from downspouts or gutter converters during rainfall. Cisterns are large tanks used for the same purpose – usually for large properties and commercial buildings.

The water collected in rain barrels can feed the native plants in your garden during drought, which cuts down on potable water usage and reduces your water bill. Further, rainwater is optimal for gardening because rainwater is free of the chemicals and additives that are present in tap water, which compromises soil quality over time.

Like native plants, rain barrels and cisterns collect rainwater that would otherwise run onto the pavement/street and wash pollutants, debris (leaves), and chemicals (like motor oil) into nearby waterways through storm drains. When this happens, the water quality and organisms that live in neighborhood creeks, the San Francisco Bay, and the Pacific Ocean are impacted.

Learn more about the benefits of owning a rain barrel, the countywide rain barrel rebate, and if you qualify for an additional rebate from BAWSCA here. The combined rebates can cover up to 100% of the per-barrel price (pre-tax) for qualifying applicants!

Use Your Winter Garden to Improve San Mateo County

Use this winter season to make the most of natural resources. Turn rain (or stormwater) runoff into nutrients for plants and wildlife when you use rainwater collection in your winter gardening routine. Score some environmental brownie points by using native plants in your winter landscape, installing a rain garden, or using rain barrels to conserve water.

Simple actions like adding native plants and installing rain barrels and rain gardens are essential to creating a more resilient ecosystem in San Mateo County now and for future generations. Used individually or in unison, these actions significantly impact the surrounding environment and can benefit wildlife, preserve water and soil quality, and make San Mateo County a healthier place to live.

To learn more about stormwater pollution, native plants, rain barrels, and rain gardens, visit flowstobay.org.

Share a photo of you with your rain barrel setup, tag @Flowstobay in your caption on Instagram and Facebook, and be sure to include the hashtag #FlowsToBarrel – we’d love to see you in action making that positive impact!

**(Shaleen of Redwood City with her 50-gallon rain barrel.)**

After the large success of last year’s pilot rain barrel program, Flows To Bays is happy to announce the program has been brought back and is now open to San Mateo County residents and businesses.

Flows To Bay has again partnered with Rain Water Solutions (a certified B corporation) to acquire barrels in bulk directly. This translates into significant cost savings for San Mateo County residents and businesses! As part of this program, each barrel will cost $80 (pre-tax)—over a 40% discount from the retail amount. Qualifying applicants can also apply for the countywide rebate after rain barrel purchase and installation, which may cover up to 100% of the purchase price for specific water districts. Learn how much of a rebate your qualify for here.

With San Mateo County in an extreme drought, it is more important than ever to conserve as much water as possible. For every inch that falls on a 500-square-foot area, a rain barrel can collect 310 gallons. The 726 rain barrels purchased from our program last year will capture 36,000 gallons of water each time the barrels are filled!

Rain Barrel Program

This year, the rain barrel quantity available to the San Mateo County public has increased to 1,320, available on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Get Program Details

Beyond the water conservation and financial benefits, capturing rainwater also improves the water quality of our local creeks, the San Francisco Bay, and the Pacific Ocean. Rainfall funnels into streets, collecting urban pollutants from all surfaces, including roofs. These pollutants then flow into storm drains and nearby waterways without treatment. Runoff is the number one source of pollution in our waterways nationwide.

“Preventing rainwater from flowing off properties and into the streets and storm drains is a win-win environmental strategy for restoring the health of our coastal waters,” said Reid Bogert, C/CAG Sr. Stormwater Program Specialist.

“While our cities are doing a lot to prevent pollution, residents can join the cause one barrel at a time to manage rainwater on their properties. A single rain barrel is small in scale compared to the amount of rain San Mateo County receives in a wet season. Still, if everyone is empowered to help restore our coastal environments, the cumulative impact will be considerable.”

Flows To Bay is a program of the City/County Association of Governments of San Mateo County (C/CAG). Through the stormwater program, C/CAG helps fund the countywide rain barrel rebate program in partnership with the Bay Area Water Supply & Conservation Agency (BAWSCA) and member water agencies.

[Updated October 27, 2022]

Our beautiful San Mateo County is lucky to have access to water resources such as the San Francisco Bay and the Pacific Ocean. However, the County is currently experiencing severe drought according to the US Drought Monitor, and the State Water Control Board recently told urban water agencies across California to utilize water restrictions to prepare for decreased supply. In light of this news, it is more important than ever to conserve and protect our water resources.

Safe and clean water is necessary for our daily lives, from showering to drinking to supporting the wellbeing of humans and wildlife alike. After all, water is at the heart of everything we do!

In many cases, water conservation and stormwater pollution prevention go hand in hand. When we capture rainwater or reduce the amount of water we use in our gardens, we are also reducing the amount of run-off that can carry pollutants (such as pesticides, pet waste, motor oil, and more) into our storm drain system.

Here are a few ways you can save water while simultaneously keeping our waterways clean!

Early bird gets the rainy season worm

Consider implementing a rain catchment system on your property. This will allow you to conserve water AND utilize water that would otherwise make its way into our storm drains, picking up pollutants on the way. Two worms, one bird!

Dig into making a rain garden: Rain gardens are landscaped areas designed to capture and filter rainwater while irrigating native and drought-tolerant plants. You may even qualify for a $300 rain garden rebate when replacing your water-guzzling lawn!
Set up a rain barrel: Rain barrels are a simple way of helping out the environment, your plants, and your budget. Instead of letting rain water run off your roof into the storm drain, rain barrels capture that rainwater to use in your garden in drier months. Learn more about rain barrels and our rebate program here.

Go green with a drought-tolerant garden

Having a beautiful flourishing yard doesn’t require a whole lot of water or harmful products like pesticides and fertilizers. By trying out these natural yard and garden management strategies, you can save water (and money!) while keeping our waterways healthy and happy.

Go native: Less water? No problem! Native California plants are naturally more resilient to our current drought conditions. Plus, natives require less chemical pesticides which not only makes yard care much easier, but also less harmful to our waters. Check out this article for more information and help on getting started on your own native plant oasis.
Put compost to work: Compost is amazing at boosting your soil’s capacity to retain water, but also gives your garden a nutritious pick-me-up. By promoting soil and plant health, compost also reduces the need for harsh fertilizers that often harm our waterways. For more lawn and garden tips, check out this page.

Clean streets, clean streams

One of the easiest things we can do is make sure our driveways and walkways are clean from leftover contaminants. Aside from being an eyesore, these contaminants harm our waterways and wildlife.

Driveway cleaning: A hose may seem like an easy way to clear off the driveway of debris and oil spills from the car, but this runoff can manifest as storm drain clogs and pollution to aquatic wildlife. For a safer and more water-wise cleanup, use kitty litter to absorb any oil spills and use a broom to sweep away any leaves or rubble.
Car washing: The best way to keep your ride sparkling is to bring it over to a commercial car wash instead of hosing it down on your property. The pros are able to collect, filter, and reuse runoff water instead of letting it head for the storm drain.

Stay in the know

Stay updated on current water shortages with the Bay Area Drought Map & Tracker. Check in with your local water district for updates regarding any water use restrictions that may apply to you and your neighbors. The County of San Mateo Office of Sustainability webpage lets you enter your zipcode to learn more about your local water agency’s programs, while also offering resources to help you save water in the home!

Share this info along with your favorite water conservation tips with friends and family to help ensure San Mateo County has clean, beautiful waters for years to come!

On Saturday, January 29, 2022, Flows To Bay held an event to distribute 396 pre-purchased 50-gallon rain barrels to San Mateo County residents. Residents from 17 of the county’s 20 cities and towns and unincorporated areas picked up their barrels at Lyngso Garden Materials in San Carlos.

We distributed 396 50-gallon rain barrels.

This was Flows To Bay’s second rain barrel distribution event in three months and was organized to accommodate residents’ unexpected enthusiasm for rain barrels. This program was initially launched as a pilot program in September 2021 as an effective water capture and conservation strategy against California’s ongoing drought condition. Flows To Bay distributed 330 purchased rain barrels at the first event on November 13, 2021. After this initial event, there were still nearly 200 residents on the waitlist for a rain barrel, prompting a relaunch of the program once inventory became available.

“This program aimed to educate residents about the water conservation and pollution prevention aspects of rain while providing an easy and affordable way to take action. The countywide rain barrel rebate funded by the City/County Association of Governments of San Mateo County and agency partners coupled with this rain barrel program is just one way that we hope to underscore just how valuable water is as a resource. Clean water, a healthy community—it’s truly a team effort!”
REID BOGERT, C/CAG STORMWATER PROGRAM SPECIALIST

The countywide rain barrel rebate program that provides a minimum $50 rebate per rain barrel. Residents can take advantage of the rain barrel rebate program with any qualifying rain barrel purchase and can get additional information at flowstobay.org/rainbarrel.

Beyond water conservation, capturing rainwater also improves the water quality of our local creeks, the San Francisco Bay, and the Pacific Ocean. Rainfall funnels into streets, collecting urban pollutants from all surfaces, including roofs. These pollutants then flow into storm drains and nearby waterways without treatment. Runoff is the number one source of pollution in our waterways nationwide. Rain barrels help reduce the number of pollutants that reach our waterways.

Reid Bogert, C/CAG Stormwater Program Specialist, loads rain barrels into a truck bed.

Just how much of an impact did this program have?

At 50-gallon capacity a piece, the combined 726 rain barrels purchased from this program will be able to capture 36,300 gallons of water each time the barrels are filled. This also means 36,300 gallons of runoff that won’t enter our waterways, reducing the amount of pollutants that reach our waterways.

This program far exceeded its initial goal of selling 100 rain barrels. San Mateo County residents showed such enthusiasm for conserving water with rain barrels that several individuals waited until after the distribution event ended for the possibility to buy unclaimed rain barrels.

“It’s very exciting and encouraging to see such enthusiasm and increased demand for this bulk discounted rain barrel program, as we approach our second event. C/CAG works on various issues that affect quality of life in San Mateo County, including addressing stormwater runoff and planning for climate change, among others. This rain barrel program attempts to address water resilience from a holistic standpoint, while bringing accessible and affordable options into our communities. This is exactly the type of impact we strive to make. We could not be happier with the results of this program and look forward to expanding it in years to come.”
MARIE CHUANG, CHAIR OF THE C/CAG BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND COUNCILMEMBER, TOWN OF HILLSBOROUGH

Residents may still take advantage of the rain barrel rebate program with any qualifying rain barrel purchase. To learn more visit flowstobay.org/rainbarrel.