National River Cleanup Day • May 21 2016, 9am – 12pm

Saturday, May 21, 2016 is National River Cleanup Day. Come help out with litter collection as we join others around the world in an effort to keep our rivers clean. Together with other concerned citizens, we’ll pick up trash and tidy up a local body of water. Come with a hat, sunscreen, and a great attitude, and we’ll provide the rest.

Plastic bottles and bags, fast food packaging, cigarette butts and other litter along Santa Clara County’s waterways is not only awful to look at, but affects local creeks and streams as well. If and when it does rain, this litter is swept off the roadways and into storm drains that flow directly to local waterways, posing a threat to both the local habitat and water quality. Also, when the accumulation of litter is paired with natural occurrences, such as broken tree limbs and erosion along creeks and streams, debris can impair the flow of water, increasing flood risks.

“We appreciate the numerous volunteers and coordinators who help us make a difference each year on National River Cleanup Day,” said Santa Clara Valley Water District Chief Operating Officer for Watersheds, Norma Camacho. “These volunteer efforts, coupled with the district’s ongoing efforts, make for a positive impact on our local waterways and environment.”

Each year the Santa Clara Valley Water District partners with Creek Connections Action Group, a consortium of five public agencies and non-profit organizations in Santa Clara County, to host cleanup sites for National River Cleanup Day. Santa Clara Valley Water District coordinates site selection, volunteer recruitment and marketing efforts.

In 2014 more than 1,176 volunteers at 51 sites across the county cleaned up more than 62 miles of waterways and picked up more than 4,247 pounds of recyclables and 28,812 pounds of trash – including 65 spray paint cans, a car door, numerous shopping carts, 100 small empty jewelry boxes, 3 fire extinguishers, coconuts, a car bumper, balls, a karaoke machine, a gas BBQ, traffic cones, Christmas lights, a bath tub, a rubber snake, a couch, tires, a propane tank, a cash register and a G.I. Joe doll.

For cleanup day, wear long pants, sturdy shoes and don't forget the sunscreen. Clean-up supplies and light refreshments will be provided. Volunteers will need to bring their own pick-up sticks and all youth under the age of 18 will need to be accompanied by an adult.

For a list of cleanup locations, registration information and more details about National River Cleanup Day, visit http://www.cleanacreek.org/volunteerinformation.asp.

Date: May 21, 2016 at 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Location: San Jose, CA
Organizer: Ricardo Barajas
Contact: rbarajas@valleywater.org | Office: 408-630-2239 | Mobile: 408-681-9265