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Hayward says it achieved 100% stormwater trash-reduction compliance under regional permit
Summary
City staff told the council Hayward met the Municipal Regional Permit trash-reduction requirement by installing hundreds of in-pipe and curb-capture devices and working with private-property owners; a final, larger Caltrans project on Cabot Boulevard was proposed for spring 2027.
Hayward staff reported that the city has achieved 100% compliance with the Municipal Regional Stormwater Permit (MRP) trash-reduction provision, a multi-year effort officials said required technical innovation, cross-agency coordination and grant funding.
Alisa Wilfong, administrator of the Water Pollution Source Control division, told the council the MRP introduced a trash-reduction standard that effectively requires no trash from stormwater sewer systems to reach waterways, with a compliance deadline of July 1, 2025. Hayward's response included a phased installation program: 629 small curb-level capture devices, six large underground capture devices and four creek screens to filter trash before it reaches the bay.
Wilfong said the installations were funded by a mix of federal EPA competitive grants, state grants and a cooperative agreement with Caltrans, and staff worked with private landowners on private land drainage areas (PLDAs) to inspect and require best management practices or, in a few cases, require private capture devices.
"Ultimately, staff chose to install full trash capture units inside the storm sewer to filter the trash as this method was deemed 100% compliant," Wilfong said, adding that the city will continue routine cleaning, inspection and PLDA follow-up.
Wilfong described one large Tennyson Road installation (two large devices) funded by Caltrans and noted an additional proposed Cabot Boulevard project that would likely require two devices treating more than 1,000 acres; staff said Cabot would be the largest installation to date with a tentative ground-breaking in spring 2027.
Council members praised the work and asked about outreach ("no dumping" gutter stencils) and public materials; staff said short videos and social posts already exist and more outreach will follow.
