Got HHW?

“Household hazardous waste” sounds like something that oozes from a stinky factory or landfill, but guess what?

In reality, such waste  is often common items available at your local supermarket or hardware store, products such as paints, cleaners, oils, batteries, and pesticides.

Such products, many of which are toxic, corrosive or flammable, can do serious harm to the environment if they are dumped down the drain, spilled onto the ground or tossed into the trash can.

Be vigilant. Protect your family and our natural environment. Store household hazardous waste in closed containers and recycle them at a household hazardous waste facility.

Santee residents can dispose of their household hazardous materials at no cost by calling the Waste Management Inc. customer service center at (619) 596-5100 to set up an appointment.

Keep Pesticides and Fertilizers Out of Our River

Many folks don't make the connection between the health of the San Diego River and the chemicals they apply to their lawns, gardens and landscaping.

The fact is, rain transports fertilizers and pesticides to the nearest creek or storm drain, and it ends up in the river where it can harm wildlife.

To protect the river's water quality, please do not fertilize your garden or landscaping within three days of a weather forecast predicting rain.  When applying pesticides, follow the manufacturer's directions and use only the amount your plants need.

Unused fertilizer cannot be tossed in the trash.  It must be taken to a household hazardous waste facility.  Call the Waste Management customer service department at (619) 596-5100 to set up an appointment.

Thank you for helping to protect our river.

Only Rain in the Storm Drain

Please help the city of Santee keep trash and other waste out of our municipal storm drains.

Many folks don't realize that our storm drains are not connected to sewage treatment plants, where solids are screened out and liquids are treated.

This means that everything that finds its way into a city storm drain ends up in a creek or drainage channel that flows into the San Diego River. Much of the material that gets into the river, including plastic bags, eventually finds its way to the ocean.

Harm can occur even if you use a blower to push leaves into the storm drain. Leaves can not only clog a storm drain, they also decompose and promote bacteria growth, which can affect water quality in the river. Instead of using a blower, rake your leaves and bag them for disposal on the green waste trash pickup days.

And of course, never dispose of used oils, paints or household cleaners by dumping them into a storm drain. Those are toxic substances that can harm wildlife. The city provides a free disposal service to residents with household hazardous waste. To learn more, visit the city's website.

Hey, it's easy if you remember this: Only rain in the storm drain.

This message is brought to you by the clean water folks at Santee City Hall.

Change in Household Hazardous Waste Disposal

Disposing of household hazardous waste, such as old paint or used motor oil can be done at no cost for Santee residents by calling (619) 596-5100 for an appointment at the Waste Management facility in El Cajon.

Santee’s hazardous waste program has been so successful that city funds set aside to subsidize disposal costs for residents taking their waste to a regional disposal facility in Poway have been exhausted.  Santee residents may still dispose of hazardous waste at the Poway collection center at 12325 Crosthwaite Circle, but they will now be charged a disposal fee.

By calling ahead to make an appointment with Waste Management, Santee residents can still dispose of household hazardous wastes for free. Residents may transfer up to 15 gallons or 125 pounds of waste per visit. Proof of residency is required.

It is unlawful to dispose of household hazardous waste in regular trash bins or down storm drains. Please protect the environment and your fellow citizens by following proper disposal methods.