Volunteers remove over 14,000 pounds of trash during National River Cleanup Day

May 27, 2026

Volunteers filled several bags of trash at the cleanup along Stevens Creek.

Valley Water and the Creek Connections Action Group coordinated a countywide volunteer effort to remove litter and debris from creeks and rivers as part of this year’s National River Cleanup event. The effort highlights a shared commitment to protecting local waterways, supporting healthy ecosystems, and preventing trash from reaching the San Francisco and Monterey bays.

This year’s cleanup efforts in Santa Clara County saw an incredible turnout:

740 volunteers
47 cleanup sites
69.67 miles of waterways cleaned
Approximately 14,050 pounds of trash and recyclables collected

“National River Cleanup is a powerful reminder of what we can accomplish when we work together to protect our environment,” said Valley Water Board Chair Tony Estremera. “We are grateful to the volunteers, families, and partners who dedicated their time to keeping our waterways clean.”

In addition to removing trash, this year’s effort also included a Youth Commission-led project focused on better understanding the types of litter found in local waterways. Youth Commissioners sorted and categorized collected trash, identifying the most common items as recyclables and plastic from grocery/merchandise. The findings will help inform future outreach and education efforts to reduce pollution at its source.

The cleanup also served as an opportunity to raise awareness about the impacts of litter on local ecosystems and encourage sustainable habits year-round.

Valley Water supports ongoing community involvement through its Adopt-A-Creek Program, which invites volunteers to help protect and preserve local waterways. Participants monitor their adopted creek segments and organize at least two cleanups each year.

Volunteers remove litter along Coyote Creek in San Jose.

Volunteers picking up litter at the Sunnyvale East Channel.

Valley Water manages an integrated water resources system that includes the supply of clean, safe water, flood protection and stewardship of streams on behalf of Santa Clara County's 2 million residents. Valley Water effectively manages 10 dams and surface water reservoirs, three water treatment plants, an advanced recycled water purification center, a state-of-the-art water quality laboratory, nearly 285 acres of groundwater recharge ponds and 333 miles of waterways. We provide wholesale water and groundwater management services to local municipalities and private water retailers who deliver drinking water directly to homes and businesses in Santa Clara County.