Every year, Americans create 268 million tons of trash. Here in Santa Clara County, trash can end up in our local waterways which flow into the San Francisco and Monterey bays. Encampments of unsheltered individuals along waterways compound the issue, which we are addressing at multiple levels to mitigate the impact of trash, debris and hazardous pollutants on our fragile ecosystems, wildlife, and water quality.
Recently, hundreds of dedicated volunteers came together in Santa Clara County to clean over 66 miles of waterways and natural areas across 52 sites, removing over 17 thousand pounds of litter as part of National River Cleanup Day 2024. The effort was spearheaded by Valley Water and the Creek Connections Action Group, a consortium of public agencies that share a goal of protecting Santa Clara County’s waterways.
Volunteers of all ages and walks of life made a significant impact during this day of action. Amongst the items removed from the creeks were a mattress topper, tire on a wheel, water heater tank, buried piece of car, bed frame, bicycle, flat-screen TV, small fridge, sinks, mattress, seven shopping carts, Christmas tree, wheelchair, tent, broken piano pieces, car headlights, rat and deer skulls, a beach ball and a pool floatie.
Valley Water approaches creek pollution as an issue we must tackle in collaboration with local and county governments and organizations that provide outreach services to the unsheltered community. In addition to organizing volunteer creek cleanup events, Valley Water continues the trash removal effort year-round to restore creeks, improve water quality, and foster suitable habitats for fish and wildlife. The voter-approved Safe, Clean Water Program provides a 15-year total of $51.7 million for encampment cleanups and beautification efforts. The program partially funds our volunteer creek cleanup programs.
We host cleanups year-round and welcome you as a volunteer. If you are interested in taking an active role in protecting local watersheds, please visit the Creek Connections Action Group website at cleanacreek.org. You can learn more about exciting volunteer opportunities, like the upcoming Coastal Cleanup Day on September 21, 2024.
We are thankful for the efforts of every one of the volunteers who rolled up their sleeves to participate and make National River Cleanup Day possible. The community’s collective work, led by passionate site coordinators, has not only made a significant impact on the environment but also brought the community closer together in a shared mission of environmental stewardship.
Together, we can work to stop water pollution where it starts and protect our waterways for future generations to enjoy.
The Valley Water Youth Commission was ready to on National River Cleanup Day 2024. 
Valley Water Board Vice Chair Richard P. Santos and volunteers at a cleanup site on National River Cleanup Day 2024. 
Volunteers celebrate the start of National River Cleanup Day 2024. 
More than 17 thousand pounds of trash was removed from Santa Clara County waterways on National River Cleanup Day. 
Celebrations are in order after a successful National River Cleanup Day! 
Director Jim Beall joins volunteers at 51 in Los Gatos.
I have multiple baby trees I would like to help plant, on Water District Property. Who do I contact to make this happen ? The trees are all, very healthy. Thanks – Craig
HI Craig,
You can submit a written request on our Access Valley Water service. There is a category speficially for trees.
https://access.valleywater.org/s/