About Us

The Sacramento Stormwater Quality Partnership (SSQP) is a multi-jurisdictional
program made up of Sacramento County and the incorporated cities of Sacramento,
Citrus Heights, Elk Grove, Folsom, Galt, and Rancho Cordova, educating and
encouraging the community to protect local waterways from the impacts of urban
run-off, which flows untreated from storm drains to creeks, streams and rivers.

What is Stormwater?

Stormwater is rain that flows over land or impervious surfaces, such as paved streets, parking lots, and building rooftops, and does not soak into the ground. In urban areas less rain is able to infiltrate into the ground, thus creating urban runoff and picking up pollutants along the way. Stormwater carries pollutants such as trash, pet waste, and garden chemicals into nearby storm drains, which eventually flows into waterways untreated. This harms the quality of our waterways.

Learn more

Ways to Protect Water

We need your help to protect our local waters!

Water pollution primarily comes from residents and you
are the most important solution to stormwater pollution.
Learn how you can help prevent stormwater pollution
and improve our community.

Take Action

Mercury

Mercury is very toxic to people and wildlife, and some of its uses have resulted in widespread contamination of the environment. Let’s work together to protect and enhance the quality of life in our neighborhoods and throughout the community for our enjoyment now…and for our children’s enjoyment in the future.

Stop pollution at the source:

Learn more
Mercury

Pesticides

Using less or non-toxic alternatives in your garden is important for a healthy garden, the beneficial bugs, our waterways, and our ecosystem. Let’s work together to protect and enhance the quality of life in our neighborhoods and throughout the community for our enjoyment now…and for our children’s enjoyment in the future.

Stop pollution at the source:

Learn more
Pesticides

Pet Waste

When pet waste is improperly disposed of, it can be picked up by stormwater runoff and washed into storm drains then directly to the river without being treated. Let’s work together to protect and enhance the quality of life in our neighborhoods and throughout the community for our enjoyment now…and for our children’s enjoyment in the future.

Stop pollution at the source:

Learn more
Pet Waste

Trash

Litter from sidewalks, streets, parking lots, and nature areas eventually find its way into our rivers. Let’s work together to protect and enhance the quality of life in our neighborhoods and throughout the community for our enjoyment now…and for our children’s enjoyment in the future.

Stop pollution at the source:

Learn more
Trash
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Events Calendar

< 2024 >
July
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June
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  • RCWA – American River Sunset Trash Splash @ Township 9
    18:00 -20:00
    07/02/2024

    Come join RCWA as we return to Township 9 for this wonderful SUNSET cleanup. After entering the Discovery Park gate at the entrance from Richard Blvd, take your first right and park under the historic Jibboom Street Bridge (green bridge that leads to the Park). We will have parking passes available.
    Please bring along your boats (kayaks, canoes, inflatables, or paddle boards), or simply walk along the shoreline and provide support by land.
    We will clean the American River waterline adjacent to Township 9, then retreat to the tranquil comfort of Tiscornia Beach to enjoy the sunset, songbirds and cold beverages. BYO drinks for the sunset viewing, friendship and comradery.
    Please come out and help with this leisurely evening event. We will provide bags, but please bring along your sturdy footwear, grabbers, buckets, gloves, and hats – a limited number of loaner buckets and grabbers may be available. Entry into the water is always optional.
    The American River is fairly low this time of year making previously inaccessible trash along the banks ripe for the picking.
    This will be an easy to difficult level event with a moderate walk or paddle. There will be walking up and down the levee bank, depending on where the trash is located. Choose whatever activity you desire.
    As with all events shared on RCWA, participation is performed solely at your own risk. Please place safety FIRST and do only what you feel comfortable doing. Moreover, participants will be required to sign a Release and Waiver form if they have not done so previously.
    Overall, be safe, have fun and get some “Exercise with a Purpose” as Bill Templin says.
    Thank you!
    River City Waterway Alliance
    “Restoring & Protecting Our Waterways”
3
  • RCWA – Steelhead Creek Weekly Cleanup with ACT
    08:00 -11:00
    07/03/2024

    IMPORTANT NOTE: This event will start at 8 am so we can Beat the Heat a bit. We will be working with County Parks contractor ACTenviro who has been doing a fantastic job cleaning Steelhead Creek the past couple of months.
    Enter Discovery Park from the Garden Highway Entrance. Parking Passes will be provided.
    This event is created in conjunction with Friends of Steelhead Creek stewards Dr. Roland Brady and Crystal Tobias.
    Please come out and help with this project. We will provide bags, but please bring along your sturdy footwear, grabbers, buckets, gloves, and hats – a limited number of loaner buckets and grabbers may be available. If you would like to help in the water, please bring waders.
    AGE LIMIT: This event is not suitable for minors under 16 years old. Minors older than 16 are invited, but must be supervised by a responsible adult.
    As with all events shared on RCWA, participation is performed solely at your own risk. Please place safety FIRST and do only what you feel comfortable doing. Moreover, participants will be required to sign a Release and Waiver form if they have not done so previously.
    Overall, be safe, have fun, and get some “Exercise with a Purpose” as Bill Templin always says!
    Thank you!
    River City Waterway Alliance
    “Restoring & Protecting Our Waterways”
    Instagram @RiverCityWaterwayAlliance
4
5
  • RCWA – Ali’s Friday Arcade Creek Cleanup
    08:30 -11:30
    07/05/2024

    Please join us for this cleanup of Arcade Creek near Madison Avenue. RCWA is continuing to partner with Arcade Creek – Adopt A Creek Project to focus on another infamously trashed stretch of this 16.2 mile creek.
    Please bring water and only do what you are comfortable doing. As always, you can leave whenever you want or need. Please park on the residential streets, but be sure not to block any driveways or garbage cans.
    We will park on Connecticut Drive, then cautiously walk to our cleanup spot at the creek (either via the nearby back alley there or via Madison Avenue). From there, we will follow the trash upstream, removing litter and bulk items both in the creek and adjacent thereto. This cleanup location has some challenging access spots into the creek and may require a rope to get into the channel, however, there are some flat spots as well for easy pickin’.
    The event will range in difficulty from moderate to hard and may not be suitable for children under the age of 16. There will be something for almost everyone as we will be cleaning in the creek and up above, on land.
    We will provide bags, but please bring along your sturdy footwear, grabbers, buckets, and gloves – a limited number of loaner buckets and grabbers may be available. We expect there will be water in the creek, fairly deep in a few spots.. Participants will be required to wear rain boots or waders if they intend to get into the water. Entry into any waters is always optional.
    As with all events shared on our Page, participation is performed solely at your own risk. Please place safety FIRST and do only what you feel comfortable doing. Moreover, participants will be required to sign a Release and Waiver form if they have not done so previously.
    Overall, be safe, have fun and get some “Exercise with a Purpose”!, as Bill Templin says. Thank you! 
    Arcade Creek Adopt-A-Creek Project
    https://www.facebook.com/ArcadeCreekAACP
6
  • RCWA – Bannon Island Cleanup 35.0
    08:30 -11:30
    07/06/2024

    RCWA will continue the cleaning and restoration of this beautiful Nature Study Area. We will park on the levee adjacent to Garden Highway very close to Interstate 5, rather than driving onto the island. This is the area we parked over the winter a few times and on Father’s Day, more recently.
    Sturdy shoes/boots and long sleeves and long pants are recommended because of thick bramble and poison oak. This will be an easy to medium level event with a moderate walk. Heat is expected so please hydrate prior to the event and bring along plenty of water/fluids to the event.
    RCWA will provide bags, but please bring along your grabbers, buckets, and gloves – a limited number of loaner buckets and grabbers may be available.
    As with all events shared on RCWA, participation is performed solely at your own risk. Please place safety FIRST and do only what you feel comfortable doing. Moreover, participants will be required to sign a Release and Waiver form if they have not done so previously.
    Overall, be safe, have fun and get some “Exercise with a Purpose” as Bill Templin says.
    Thank you!
    River City Waterway Alliance
    “Restoring & Protecting Our Waterways”
    Instagram @RiverCityWaterwayAlliance
7
  • RCWA – Arcade Creek Cleanup @ Norwood (23.0)
    08:30 -11:30
    07/07/2024

    **** Please note new parking location, however, please check up top on the levee first as closer parking inside the gate will likely be available ***
    Our apologies, but this will be an 18 and Over Event due to numerous active encampments in the area.
    We will continue removing the piles of trash in this stretch of Arcade Creek in this area. This event will be conducted in coordination with our friends at Forensiclean who have graciously agreed to haul off all of the trash and encampment debris collected during this event!
    Sturdy, waterproof boots, long sleeves and long pants are recommended. Folks desiring to enter the creek will need hip or chest waders. This will be an easy to difficult level event with uneven terrain.
    RCWA will provide bags, but please bring along your grabbers, buckets, cultivators, rakes and gloves – a limited number of loaner buckets and grabbers may be available.
    As with all events shared on RCWA, participation is performed solely at your own risk. Please place safety FIRST and do only what you feel comfortable doing. Moreover, participants will be required to sign a Release and Waiver form if they have not done so previously.
    Overall, be safe, have fun and get some “Exercise with a Purpose” as Bill Templin says.
    Thank you!
    River City Waterway Alliance
    “Restoring & Protecting Our Waterways”
    Instagram @RiverCityWaterwayAlliance
8
9
  • RCWA – Camp Pollock Sunset Trash Splash
    18:00 -21:00
    07/09/2024

    **** Please note new parking location, however, please check up top on the levee first as closer parking inside the gate will likely be available ***
    Our apologies, but this will be an 18 and Over Event due to numerous active encampments in the area.
    We will continue removing the piles of trash in this stretch of Arcade Creek in this area. This event will be conducted in coordination with our friends at Forensiclean who have graciously agreed to haul off all of the trash and encampment debris collected during this event!
    Sturdy, waterproof boots, long sleeves and long pants are recommended. Folks desiring to enter the creek will need hip or chest waders. This will be an easy to difficult level event with uneven terrain.
    RCWA will provide bags, but please bring along your grabbers, buckets, cultivators, rakes and gloves – a limited number of loaner buckets and grabbers may be available.
    As with all events shared on RCWA, participation is performed solely at your own risk. Please place safety FIRST and do only what you feel comfortable doing. Moreover, participants will be required to sign a Release and Waiver form if they have not done so previously.
    Overall, be safe, have fun and get some “Exercise with a Purpose” as Bill Templin says.
    Thank you!
    River City Waterway Alliance
    “Restoring & Protecting Our Waterways”
    Instagram @RiverCityWaterwayAlliance
10
11
12
13
  • RCWA – Arcade Creek Cleanup @ Norwood (24.0)
    08:30 -11:30
    07/13/2024

    **** Please note new parking location, however, please check up top on the levee first as closer parking inside the gate will likely be available ***
    Our apologies, but this will be an 18 and Over Event due to numerous active encampments in the area.
    We will continue removing the piles of trash in this stretch of Arcade Creek in this area. This event will be conducted in coordination with our friends at Forensiclean who have graciously agreed to haul off all of the trash and encampment debris collected during this event!
    Sturdy, waterproof boots, long sleeves and long pants are recommended. Folks desiring to enter the creek will need hip or chest waders. This will be an easy to difficult level event with uneven terrain.
    RCWA will provide bags, but please bring along your grabbers, buckets, cultivators, rakes and gloves – a limited number of loaner buckets and grabbers may be available.
    As with all events shared on RCWA, participation is performed solely at your own risk. Please place safety FIRST and do only what you feel comfortable doing. Moreover, participants will be required to sign a Release and Waiver form if they have not done so previously.
    Overall, be safe, have fun and get some “Exercise with a Purpose” as Bill Templin says.
    Thank you!
    River City Waterway Alliance
    “Restoring & Protecting Our Waterways”
    Instagram @RiverCityWaterwayAlliance
14
15
16
17
  • RCWA – Arcade Creek Cleanup @ Norwood (250 with ARFCD
    08:00 -12:00
    07/17/2024

    Please note, this event is scheduled for 4 hours. However, feel free to leave whenever you’d like.
    Our apologies, but this will be an 18 and Over Event due to numerous active encampments in the area.
    We will continue removing the piles of trash in this stretch of Arcade Creek in this area. This event will be conducted in coordination with the folks at American River Flood Control District who have graciously agreed to haul off all of the trash and encampment debris collected during this event!
    Sturdy, waterproof boots, long sleeves and long pants are recommended. Folks desiring to enter the creek will need hip or chest waders. This will be an easy to difficult level event with uneven terrain.
    RCWA will provide bags, but please bring along your grabbers, buckets, cultivators, rakes and gloves – a limited number of loaner buckets and grabbers may be available.
    As with all events shared on RCWA, participation is performed solely at your own risk. Please place safety FIRST and do only what you feel comfortable doing. Moreover, participants will be required to sign a Release and Waiver form if they have not done so previously.
    Overall, be safe, have fun and get some “Exercise with a Purpose” as Bill Templin says.
    Thank you!
    River City Waterway Alliance
    “Restoring & Protecting Our Waterways”
    Instagram @RiverCityWaterwayAlliance
  • RCWA – Arcade Creek @ Norwood (25.0) with ARFCD
    08:00 -12:00
    07/17/2024

    Please note, this event is scheduled for 4 hours. However, feel free to leave whenever you’d like.
    Our apologies, but this will be an 18 and Over Event due to numerous active encampments in the area.
    We will continue removing the piles of trash in this stretch of Arcade Creek in this area. This event will be conducted in coordination with the folks at American River Flood Control District who have graciously agreed to haul off all of the trash and encampment debris collected during this event!
    Sturdy, waterproof boots, long sleeves and long pants are recommended. Folks desiring to enter the creek will need hip or chest waders. This will be an easy to difficult level event with uneven terrain.
    RCWA will provide bags, but please bring along your grabbers, buckets, cultivators, rakes and gloves – a limited number of loaner buckets and grabbers may be available.
    As with all events shared on RCWA, participation is performed solely at your own risk. Please place safety FIRST and do only what you feel comfortable doing. Moreover, participants will be required to sign a Release and Waiver form if they have not done so previously.
    Overall, be safe, have fun and get some “Exercise with a Purpose” as Bill Templin says.
    Thank you!
    River City Waterway Alliance
    “Restoring & Protecting Our Waterways”
    Instagram @RiverCityWaterwayAlliance
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August
August
August
Man walking dog

Pet waste is a significant, yet preventable, water pollutant. Please clean up after your pet!

Not all bugs are bad! Learn how
good bugs can defend your home
against pests

Landscape and Nursery Expo

Businesses from all around participate in this annual event. Residents can learn various landscape techniques as well as purchase supplies, equipment, and attend educational seminars.

Tuesday, May 3

For More Information

Contact the Sacramento Stormwater Quality Partnership at

ssqpinfo@cityofsacramento.org
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