We all share a responsibility to care for our environment and safeguard the beauty and vitality of our community. One crucial aspect of this responsibility is maintaining clean storm drains.  They play a vital role in preventing flooding, protecting water quality, and preserving the health of our local ecosystems.

Many residents don’t know that even in our dry desert region, the City of Palm Desert discharges directly into the Whitewater River during storm events. The City of Palm Desert also drains into Deep Canyon, Cat Creek, East Magnesia Canyon Channel, and the Palm Valley Stormwater Channel. All these water bodies drain directly into Whitewater River without treatment.

Many manmade pollutants such as trash, grease, construction products, and vehicle solvents accumulate on local streets and parking lots. When the rain does fall, these pollutants are carried into our local storm drains and end up in our washes and streams. Throughout the year, over watering of lawns and landscaping areas, car washing, and hosing down of driveways washes pet droppings, fertilizers, and cleaning solvents into the City's storm drain system and eventually to the local washes. These in turn will be washed downstream with the next large rainfall affecting the local ecosystem.

The City works hard to educate the public in partnership with NPDES (National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System) to address water pollution by regulating sources that discharge pollutants to waters of the United States. Learn more about NPDES and how this affects your community by visiting: National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) or California State Water Resources Control Board.

Together, We Can Make a Difference!

By working together to keep our storm drains clean, we're not just improving the appearance of our community, but  we are protecting our environment, supporting public safety, and ensuring a sustainable future for generations to come. Let's show our commitment to our community and its well-being by taking proactive steps to care for our storm drains.

City of Palm Desert Storm Water Self Certification Program

Homeowner Associations are now required to annually self-certify the drainage systems within their communities.  Regular maintenance ensures that the drainage systems will be operational when a storm brings flood waters.  The City will perform inspections to assist property managers and homeowners’ associations to identify potential failures in the systems. With regular maintenance and inspections, the storm drains will be working as designed.  This will reduce flooding, damage to roads, and reduce mosquitos.

For more information on the storm water self certification program contact Public Works at:

• Phone:(760) 776-6450
• Email: publicworks@palmdesert.gov

Household Hazardous Waste Disposal 

Riverside County operates a permanent Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) facility, accepting all household hazardous waste. When disposed of improperly (pouring wastes down the drain, on the ground, into storm drains, or putting them out with the trash) this hazardous waste material can affect human health and the environment. The dangers of improper disposal may not be immediately obvious, but certain types of household hazardous waste have the potential to cause physical injury to trash workers; contaminate groundwater; contaminate wastewater treatment systems (if poured down drains or toilets); and present hazards to children and pets if left around the house.

Riverside County Household Hazardous Waste Facility

• Riverside County Website & List of Hazardous Waste Items
• 1100 Vella Road, Palm Springs, Ca 92264
• Operating hours are from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Saturdays October through May and 7:00 a.m. to noon Saturdays June through September.