Think Blue is the City of San Diego's storm water pollution prevention campaign. Launched in 2001, Think Blue helps educate residents, businesses and industry leaders about the effects of storm water pollution and about ways to prevent that pollution from harming our environment.

When water flows out of our yards, down driveways and out parking lots into the storm drains, it makes its way through the environment untreated. Storm drains are not connected to the sewer system and they drain directly into our creeks, bays, lagoons and ultimately the ocean.

Water that flows from households, businesses or during rainstorms will flush pesticides, fertilizers, pet waste, litter, automobile fluids, oil and other pollutants into storm drains. Allowing these pollutants into the storm drain system is harmful to our environment and our quality of life. Storm drain pollution hurts our recreational areas, waterways and wildlife. It can also force the closure of popular beaches impacting tourism and our economy.

Storm drain pollution can also occur when it is not raining. Over-irrigation and other water/substances entering the storm drain carry pollutants with them out to the nearest waterway and eventually the ocean.

Think Blue Background

Think Blue is the education and outreach arm of the City of San Diego, Transportation & Storm Water Department. The Department's mission is to protect and improve water quality and reduce flood risk through efficient storm water management.

There are a variety of federal and state laws and regulations supporting Think Blue's outreach efforts. The City's Municipal Code includes provisions related to storm water pollution prevention. Read the San Diego Municipal Code sections related to storm water .

Think Blue is also part of the City's response to storm water pollution prevention regulations put forward by the state's Regional Water Quality Control Board. The state regulations affecting the City are included in the Board's Regional Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4) Permit.