Rain Expected in Coming Week

It's no secret that the "summer in January" weather has hit Burlingame and the rest of the Bay Area recently.

Temperatures in the 60s, sunny skies and little to no wind have tricked many residents into thinking we skipped winter this year.

But come next week, rainfall is anticipated to strike, and with showers come an increase in water pollution, according to San Mateo County officials.

“The first heavy rains of the season wash pollutants, like motor oil, litter and pesticides off our streets and roads and send them into local waters, ” Matt Fabry, Program Coordinator for the San Mateo Countywide Water Pollution Prevention Program, said in a statement.

“The good news is that there are things residents can do to help reduce water pollution during the rainy season,” he said.

A few ways to prevent water pollution this season: 

• Check your vehicles for leaks! Even a small leak can have a big impact.  One gallon of oil can contaminate 1,000,000 gallons of water.
• If you see litter, pick it up! A bottle or food wrapper on the ground is unsightly; when rains wash litter down storm drains, these items pollute local waters.
• Don’t spray pesticides around the perimeter of your home, especially when rain is in the forecast.

For more tips on how to prevent water pollution, visit flowstobay.org and BayWise.org.

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