Port of Stockton
2201 W Washington St.
Stockton, CA 95203
PH 209-946-0246
FX 464-1251

Water Quality Program

Industrial and maritime activities at the Port of Stockton have the potential to produce many types of pollutants, and the Port goes to great lengths to prevent them from reaching the surrounding waterways.  During the 2007/2008 permit year, the Port of Stockton spent more than $1 million on stormwater programs alone.  The following outlines just a part of the tremendous effort the Port puts forth to protect and improve water quality.

Program Goal

  • To improve the quality of the waterways at and around the Port of Stockton through education, outreach, and, when necessary, enforcement. 

Program Accomplishments

  • The Port made structural improvements to the existing aerator at Dock 13.
  • The Port labeled 100% of the storm drains on Port property with the following:

  • The Port upgraded the wash pad to significantly reduce the chance of overspray and potential stormwater contamination.
  • The Port installed three “Safe Drains” near the Port fueling station. In the event of a spill, these will allow for the quick closure of nearby storm drains, thereby preventing a release to the aquatic environment.
  • The Port conducted a cleanup of its East Complex targeting illegally dumped dirt and debris piles
  • The Port upgraded the stormwater conveyance system on the East Complex by installing several check dams.  These dams are designed to reduce the velocity of the stormwater runoff, which dissipates some of the energy and allows solid pollutants to drop out of suspension before the water is discharged to a waterway.

Ongoing Activities

  • The Port maintains and operates an aeration facility in the Deep Water Ship Channel to help alleviate the problems associated with low dissolved oxygen concentrations (see below for more information).
  • The Port conducts an annual Stormwater Managers Workshop for Port tenants and employees who are responsible for stormwater protection at their sites. This workshop highlights new and existing stormwater regulations and offers advice on how to maintain compliance.
  • The Port holds an annual Stormwater Open House barbecue before the beginning of each rainy season. This event, open to all Port employees and tenants, increases awareness of the need to protect stormwater and offers vendors a chance to introduce new environmental products.
  • The Port conducts a Ballast Water Inspection Program which requires all vessels to complete a ballast water inspection log to verify that ships are making open water exchanges.
  • The Port installs and maintains sediment traps in storm drains at key locations that are most susceptible to pollution.
  • Port staff inspects all Port property daily to ensure compliance with the Port’s stormwater permit.
  • The Port maintains and operates a detention pond on the Port’s East Complex that collects stormwater and allows for settling and removal of contaminants before the water is released into the San Joaquin River.
  • The Port provides location and peripheral support for the Department of Water Resources/California Bay-Delta Authority aeration trial at Dock 20.
  • The Port provides stormwater management support and BMP assistance to tenants.

Aeration Facility

When it comes to the overall health of an aquatic ecosystem, the amount of dissolved oxygen (DO) in the water is generally a good indicator. DO not only allows fish and other aquatic organisms to breathe, but also... Read More

Storm Drain or Sewer Drain? Protecting Our Delta

What Can Go Down a Storm Drain?

Only storm water … with a few exceptions. It’s important to know exactly what an “allowable non-storm water discharge” is and what is not. The State Water Resources Control Board has set guidelines in its Industrial General Permit. Non-Stormwater discharges may include the following: Read More
(This is not a comprehensive list of allowable discharges and in no way shall be viewed as such.  Please refer to the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board if you have any questions):

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