Volunteers rally to remove over 25,000 pounds of trash on Coastal Cleanup Day

September 23, 2025

A group of volunteers in yellow vests stand at a cleanup site. A few are holding orange trash grabbers and trash bags.

On September 20, Valley Water joined forces with the Creek Connections Action Group to remove litter and debris from creeks across Santa Clara County. The effort reflects a shared commitment to protecting the environment, supporting healthy ecosystems and preventing trash from entering our waterways and ultimately, the San Francisco and Monterey bays. Local cleanups were part of the larger effort organized by the California Coastal Commission, where volunteers were on the hunt for litter in creeks and rivers statewide.

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

1,911 volunteers
56 cleanup sites
76.15 miles of waterways cleaned
Approximately 30,885 pounds of trash and recyclables were collected
Interesting items found include a boombox, a mini-fridge, a message in a bottle and a 3D-printed lizard

“Coastal Cleanup Day is an inspiring reminder of what we can achieve when we come together as a community,” said Valley Water Board Chair Tony Estremera. “I want to thank all the volunteers, families and partners who made this effort possible.”

In addition to collecting trash, the countywide cleanup served as an educational opportunity, raising awareness about the impact of litter on local ecosystems and encouraging sustainable practices in everyday life.

Valley Water encourages year-round community involvement through its Adopt-A-Creek Program, inviting volunteers to help protect and preserve local waterways. Program partners monitor trash in their adopted creek segments and organize at least two cleanups annually.

Beyond volunteer cleanups, Valley Water is committed to reducing litter throughout the year. With programs such as the Good Neighbor Program, Valley Water helps remove thousands of pounds of trash annually from waterways across the county. These ongoing efforts play a vital role in protecting fish and wildlife, improving water quality and ensuring our local creeks remain clean and healthy.

Photo caption: Volunteers preparing to pick up litter along the banks of Los Gatos Creek in the City of San José.

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.