Water Quality

Learn how the University manages Drinking Water, Storm Water and Sanitary Sewers.

Drinking Water

• Source

  • SJSU receives it's drinking water supply from San Jose Water Company.  For more information regarding the source of our water supply, including annual water quality reports, please visit the San Jose Water Company Water Quality website. 

Storm Water

• Runoff

  • Storm water runoff is excess water that does not percolate into the ground, usually due to large amounts of sustained precipitation, such as atmospheric rivers. Runoffs flows over impervious surfaces and accumulates debris, chemicals, sediment or other pollutants that adversely affect water quality. Typically, stormwater does not go to a water treatment facility and ends up depositing pollutants into the nearest waterway, killing wildlife, destroying ecosystems and contaminating drinking water sources. SJSU is committed to reducing runoff pollution by implementing operational Best Management Practices (BMPs). 

    Stormwater, especially during winter months, has led to sizable impacts to campus operations. To report leaking, flooding, stormwater damage, runoff pollution, or damage caused to facilities from any recent storm(s), immediately call the FD&O phone line at (408) 924-1990.

• Best Management Practices (BMPs)

  • SJSU employs a number of BMPs to improve stormwater quality that includes: street sweeping, storm drain cleaning, storm drain filters, zero waste campaigns and recycling programs.

    SJSU has a comprehensive Landscape Master Plan to reduce overwatering, prevent runoff and reduce fertilizer and pesticide use. The landscaping staff conducts inspections of its irrigation system frequently and a team of licensed operators carefully apply fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides only when absolutely necessary. This plan means less fertilizer use, modest herbicide use and limits pesticides to use indoors, with little opportunity to affect stormwater quality.

    Additionally, SJSU adheres to its Hazardous Materials Business Plan (HMBP) and Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasure Plan (SPCC), which prevents any stormwater exposure to chemicals, oils and fuels.

• Complaints Process

  • Report a spill or leak or other pollution concern on campus such as illegal dumping, construction site discharges or chemicals entering the storm drain inadvertently or deliberately. Email ehs@sjsu.edu and provide a description and location of the incident or call 408-924-1990.

• Additional Resources

  • City of San Jose Stormwater Program

    Santa Clara Valley Urban Runoff Pollution Prevention Program (SCVURPPP)

Sanitary Sewers

• Healthy Sewers

  • 
    One of the best ways to protect SJSU's sewer system and prevent backups or overflows is to make sure that items like gloves, plastic bags, rags, cloth, feminine hygiene products, diapers, etc., don't go down the drain and aren't flushed down the toilet.  These items should be placed into regular trash bins. 

    Another key component of healthy sewers is to properly manage the disposal of fats, oils and greases (FOG).  Fats and oils should not be poured down any drain as they will solidify in the plumbing and cause a backup. 

    SJSU has developed a detailed guide for food services on how to best manage Fats, Oils and Greases on campus.

    Best Management Practices For Fats, Oils and Grease [pdf] 

    If you need assistance in disposing of fats, oils and greases properly, please contact us ehs@sjsu.edu.