Milestone in reach in Hayward’s effort to keep litter out of San Francisco Bay

The City of Hayward is nearing completion of installation of the last large scale trash capture device into the City's stormwater system, a project that began last month and is part of a broader strategy of investment and education to keep litter out of the San Francisco Bay.

All told, Hayward's storm water system consists of approximately 3,000 storm-drain inlets and hundreds of miles of pipes, culverts and creeks that all lead to the Bay.

With investment in devices such as the one being installed on Arf Avenue, the system not only prevents flooding during the rainy season but also plays an important role preventing hazardous materials from washing into the open water by filtering out debris as small as cigarette butts and treating water to remove chemicals.

The equipment and technologies have allowed Hayward to reduce the amount of litter that flows to the Bay by approximately 97 percent with a goal of 100 percent reduction by 2025. But it is not just these investments alone - community members are the first line of defense. Properly disposing of waste and reducing reliance on single-use plastics are two of the most significant ways Hayward residents can help prevent trash from entering the Bay and harming wildlife.

For more information about how you can prevent litter and protect the Bay, visit the Alameda County Clean Water Program website.