Hayward says it removed 100% of stormwater trash before it reached the San Francisco Bay

Hayward City announced it has stopped all trash from entering the San Francisco Bay by removing debris from its stormwater system, meeting a July 1, 2025 deadline set by the San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board. The city credited years of coordinated work and new capture infrastructure for the milestone.

"We are removing 100% of trash from our storm water system before it flows into the Bay," the presenter said, announcing the installation project that the city says achieved full capture. The presenter described the achievement as the product of more than a decade of planning and construction.

Hayward said it installed more than 600 storm drain filters and six large underground trash-capture devices that operate together to intercept debris. The presenter said the system protects wildlife, improves water quality and benefits the health of the San Francisco Bay.

The presenter said the project involved coordination with Caltrans and the Alameda County Flood Control District and was supported by "millions of dollars in funding," adding that "none of which came from the city's general fund, by the way." The city did not specify exact funding sources or amounts in the announcement.

The regional deadline cited in the announcement was set by the San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board; the presenter said about half of municipalities met the board's July 1, 2025 compliance date. The city framed its progress as part of wider regional efforts to reduce trash in stormwater discharges.

Hayward described the milestone as a win for the city and the Bay. The announcement did not describe additional formal actions or next steps beyond the installation and coordination already completed.